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LIBRARY 

UNIVERSITY  OF 
CALIFORNIA 


MARTIN  CONISBY'S 
VENGEANCE 


MARTIN  CONISBY'S 
VENGEANCE 

By  JEFFERY  FARNOL 


Author  of 

'The  Broad  Highway/*  "The  Amateur  Gentleman/ 

''Beltane,   the  Smith/*  "The  Money  Moon/* 

** Black  Bartlemy's  Treasure/*  etc. 


A.  L.  BURT  COMPANY 
Publishers  New  York 

Published  by  arrangement  with   Little,    Brown  and  Company 
Printed  in  U.  S.  A. 


Copyright,  1921  ^ 
By  Littlb,  Brown,  and  CoMPAmr. 


All  rights  reserved. 


Pbintbo  in  thk  Unitbd  Statss  or  Ambrica 


TO 
MY  DEAR  AUNTS 

MRS.   MARRIOTT 

AND 

MISS  JEFFERY 

"  AUNTIE  KIZ  " 
I  DEDICATE  THIS  BOOK 


t 


729 


CONTENTS 

PAOI 
CHAPTBB 

I  How  My  Solitude  Came  to  an  End       .          i 

II     My  Troubles  Begin ^ 

III  How  I  Heard  a  Song  That  I  Knew    .      .        17 

IV  How  I  Laboured  to  My  Salvation    .      .28 

V     Telleth  How  All  My  Travail  Came  to 
Nought      

VI     How  I  Succoured  One  Don  Federioo,  a 

Gentleman  of  Spain ^" 

VII     I   Am   Determined   on   My    Vengeance, 

AND  My  Reasons  Therefor       ...        40 

VIII     How  the  Days  of  My  Watching  were 

Accomplished ^^ 

IX    We  Fall  Among  Pirates 59 

X     How  I  Came  Aboard  the  Happy  Despatch 

and  of  My  Sufferings  There         .      .       o5 

XI     How  I  Fought  in  the  Dark  with  One 

Pompey,  a  Great  Blackamoor  ...        77 

XII     Of    Battle,    Murder    and    Resolution 

Day,  His  Point  of  View     ....        86 

XIII     How  We  Fought  an  English  Ship    .      .      101 

XIV     Telleth  How  the  Fight  Ended  .      .      .      H^ 

V 


VI 


CHAPTER 

XV 


XVI 

XVII 

XVIII 

XIX 

XX 

XXI 

XXII 

XXIII 

XXIV 

XXV 

XXVI 

XXVII 

XXVIII 

XXIX 

XXX 

XXXI 

XXXII 

XXXIII 

XXXIV 

XXXV 


Contents 

PAQB 

How  I  Fell  in  with  My  Friend,  Captain 

Sir  Adam   Penfeather        .      .      .      .  119 

How  I  Had  Word  with   My  Lady,  Joan 

Brandon 130 

Telleth  the  Outcome  of  My  Prideful 

Folly          141 

Op  Roger  Tressady  and  How  the  Silver 

Woman  Claimed  Her  Own  at  Last     .  150 

How  Joanna  Changed  Her  Mind     .      .  164 

I  Go  to  Seek  My  Vengeance     .      .      .  177 

How  I  Came  to  Nombre  de  Dios     .      .  189 

How  AT  Last  I  Found  My  Enemy,  Rich- 
ard   Brandon 197 

How  I  Found  My  Soul 207 

Of  Our  Adventure  at  Sea     .      ...  221 

We  Are  Driven  Ashore 228 

Our   Desperate   Situation      ....  237 

We  Commence  Our  Journey    ....  243 

We  Fall   in  with   One  Atlamatzin,  an 

Indian  Chief 256 

Telleth  Somewhat  of  a  Strange  City  264 

We  Resume  Our  Journey       ....  275 

I  Meet  a  Madman 288 

How  I  Found  My  Beloved  at  Last    .      .  298 

Of  Dreams 309 

Of  Love Sl6 

Of  the  Coming  of  Adam  and  of  Our 

Great  Joy  Therein •  325 


MARTIN  CONISBY'S 

VENGEANCE 


MARTIN  CONISBY'S 
VENGEANCE 

CHAPTER  I 

How  My  Solitude  Came  to  an  End 

"Justice,  O  God,  upon  mine  enemy.  For  the  pain 
I  suffer,  may  I  see  him  suffer;  for  the  anguish  that  is 
mine,  so  may  I  watch  his  agony!  Thou  art  a  just 
God,  so,  God  of  Justice,  give  to  me  vengeance !" 

And  having  spoken  this,  which  had  been  my  prayer 
for  three  weary  ^-ears,  I  composed  myself  to  slumber. 
But  even  so,  I  started  up  broad  awake  and  my  every 
nerve  a-tingle,  only  to  see  the  moonlight  flooding  my 
solitude  and  nought  to  hear  save  the  rustle  of  the  soft 
night  wind  beyond  the  open  door  of  the  cave  that  was 
my  habitation  and  the  far-off,  never-ceasing  murmur 
that  was  the  voice  of  those  great  waters  that  hemmed 
me  in, — a  desolate  ocean  where  no  ships  ever  sailed, 
a  trackless  waste  that  stretched  away  to  the  infinite 
blue. 

Crouched  upon  my  bed  I  fell  vaguely  a-wondering 
what  should  have  roused  me,  hearkening  to  the  distant 
roar  of  the  surf  that  seemed  to  me  now  plaintive  and 
despairing,  now  full  of  an  ominous  menace  that  ban- 
ished gentle  sleep. 

Thereupon  I  must  needs  bethink  me  how  often  I 
had  waked  thus  during  my  long  and  weary  sojourn 


2        Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

on  this  lonely  island ;  how  many  times  I  had  leapt  from 
slumber,  fancying  I  heard  a  sound  of  oars  or  voices 
hailing  cheerily  beyond  the  reef,  or  again  (and  this 
most  often  and  bitterest  phantasy  of  all)  a  voice,  soft 
and  low  3^et  with  a  wondrous  sweet  and  vital  ring,  the 
which  as  I  knew  must  needs  sound  within  my  dreams 
henceforth, — a  voice  out  of  the  past  that  called  upon 
my  name: 

"Martin— Oh,  Martin!" 

And  this  a  voice  that  came  to  me  in  the  blazing  heat 
of  tropic  day,  in  the  cool  of  eve,  in  the  calm  serenity 
of  night,  a  voice  calling,  calling  infinite  pitiful  and 
sw^eet,  yet  mocking  me  with  my  loneliness. 

"Martin,  dear  love!     Oh,  Martini" 

"Joan !"  I  whispered  and  reached  out  yearning  arms 
to  the  empty  air.     "Damaris — beloved!" 

Beyond  the  open  door  I  heard  the  sighing  of  the 
wind  and  the  roar  of  the  surf,  soft  with  distance,  in- 
finite plaintive  and  despairing.  Then,  because  sleep 
was  not  for  me,  I  arose  and  came  groping  within  my 
inner  cave  where  stood  a  coifer  and,  lifting  the  lid, 
drew  forth  that  I  sought  and  went  and  sat  me  on  my 
bed  where  the  moon  made  a  glory.  And  sitting  there, 
I  unfolded  this  my  treasure  that  was  no  more  than  a 
woman's  gown  and  fell  to  smoothing  its  folds  with 
reverent  hand ;  very  tattered  it  was  and  worn  by  much 
hard  usage,  its  bravery  all  tarnished  and  faded,  yet 
for  me  it  seemed  yet  to  compass  something  of  the  vivid 
grace  and  beauty  of  that  loved  and  vanished  presence. 

Almost  three  years  of  solitude,  of  deluding  hopes 
and  black  despair,  almost  three  years,  forgotten  alike 
of  God  and  man.  So  that  I  had  surely  run  mad  but 
for  the  labour  of  my  days  and  the  secret  hope  I  cher- 
ished even  yet  that  some  day  (soon  or  late)  I  should 
see  again  that  loved  form,  hear  again  the  sweet,  vital 
ring  of  that  voice  whereof  I  had  dreamed  so  long. 

Almost  three  3'ears,  forgotten  alike  of  God  and  man. 


How  My  Solitude  Came  to  an  End      3 

And  so  albeit  I  prayed  no  more  (since  I  had  proved 
prayers  vain)  hope  yet  lived  within  me  and  every  day, 
night  and  mom,  I  would  climb  that  high  hill  the  which 
I  had  named  the  Hill  of  Blessed  Hope,  to  strain  my 
eyes  across  the  desolation  of  waters  for  some  sign 
which  should  tell  me  my  time  of  waiting  was  accom- 
plished. 

Now  as  I  sat  thus,  lost  in  bitter  thought,  I  rose  to 
my  feet,  letting  fall  the  gown  to  lie  all  neglected,  for 
borne  to  me  on  the  gentle  wind  came  a  sound  there  was 
no  mistaking,  the  sharp  report  of  a  musket. 

For  a  moment  I  stood  utterly  still  while  the  shot 
yet  rang  and  re-echoed  in  my  ears  and  felt  all  at  once 
such  an  ecstasy  of  joy  that  I  came  nigh  swooning  and 
needs  must  prop  myself  against  the  rocky  wall;  then, 
the  faintness  passing,  I  came  hasting  and  breathless 
where  I  might  look  seaward  and  beheld  this : 

Hard  beyond  the  reef  (her  yards  braced  slovenly 
aback)  a  ship.  Betwixt  this  vessel  and  the  reef  a 
boat  rowed  furiously,  and  upon  the  reef  itself  a  man 
fled  shorewards  marvellous  fleet  and  nimble.  Pres- 
ently from  his  pursuers  in  the  boat  came  a  red  flash 
and  the  report  of  a  musquetoon  followed  by  divers  oth- 
ers, whereat  the  poor  fugitive  sped  but  the  faster  and 
came  running  to  that  strip  of  white  beach  that  bear- 
eth  the  name  Deliverance.  There  he  faltered,  pausing 
a  moment  to  glance  wildly  this  way  and  that,  then 
(as  Fortune  willed)  turned  and  sped  my  way.  Then 
I,  standing  forth  where  he  might  behold  me  in  the 
moon's  radiance,  hailed  and  beckoned  him,  at  the  which 
he  checked  again,  then  (as  reassured  by  my  looks  and 
gesture)  came  leaping  up  that  path  which  led  from 
the  beach.  Thus  as  he  drew  nearer  I  saw  he  was  very 
young,  indeed  a  mere  stripling.  From  him  I  glanced 
towards  his  pursuers  (they  being  already  upon  the 
reef)  and  counted  nine  of  them  running  hitherward 
and  the  moon  aglint  on  the  weapons  they  bore.    There- 


4        Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

upon  I  hasted  to  my  cave  and  brought  thence  my  six 
muskets,  the  which  I  laid  ready  to  hand. 

And  presently  comes  this  poor  fugitive,  all  panting 
and  distressed  with  his  exertions,  and  who  (clambering 
over  that  rampire  I  had  builded  long  ago  to  my  de- 
fence) fell  at  my  feet  and  lay  there  speechless,  draw- 
ing his  breath  in  great,  sobbing  gasps.  But  his  pur- 
suers had  seen  and  came  on  amain  with  mighty  halloo, 
and  though  (judging  by  what  I  could  see  of  them 
at  the  distance)  they  were  a  wild,  unlovely  company, 
yet  to  me,  so  long  bereft  of  all  human  fellowship,  their 
hoarse  shouts  and  cries  were  infinitely  welcome  and  I 
determined  to  make  them  the  means  of  my  release,  more 
especially  as  it  seemed  by  their  speech  that  some  of 
them  were  Englishmen.  To  this  end  I  waited  until  they 
were  close,  then,  taking  up  my  nearest  piece,  I  levelled 
wide  of  them  and  fired.  Startled  by  the  sudden  roar 
they  incontinent  scattered,  betaking  them  to  such  cover 
as  they  might.  Then  I  (yet  kneeling  behind  my  ram- 
pire) hailed  them  in  mighty  kindly  fashion. 

"Halt,  friends!"  cries  I.  "Here  is  harm  for  no 
man  that  meaneth  none.  Nay,  rather  do  I  give  ye 
joyous  welcome  in  especial  such  of  you  as  be  English, 
for  I  am  an  Englishman  and  very  solitary." 

But  now  (and  even  as  I  spake  them  thus  gently)  I 
espied  the  fugitive  on  his  knees,  saw  him  whip  up  one 
of  my  muskets  (all  in  a  moment)  and  fire  or  ever  I 
might  stay  him.  The  shot  was  answered  by  a  cry  and 
out  from  the  underbrush  a  man  reeled,  clasping  his 
hurt  and  so  fell  and  lay  a-groaning.  At  this  his  com- 
rades let  fly  their  shot  in  answer  and  made  off  forth- 
with. Deserted  thus,  the  wounded  man  scrambled  to 
hands  and  knees  and  began  to  creep  painfully  after  his 
fellows,  beseeching  their  aid  and  cursing  them  by  turns. 
Hearing  a  shrill  laugh,  I  turned  to  see  the  fugitive 
reach  for  and  level  another  of  my  weapons  at  this 
wounded  wretch,  but,  leaping  on  him  as  he  gave  fire, 


How  My  Solitude  Came  to  an  End      5 

I  knocked  up  the  muzzle  of  the  piece  so  that  the  bullet 
soared  harmlessh^  into  the  air.  Uttering  a  strange, 
passionate  cry,  the  fugitive  sprang  back  and  snatch- 
ing out  an  evil-looking  knife,  made  at  me,  and  all  so 
incredibly  quick  that  it  was  all  I  could  do  to  parry  the 
blow;  then,  or  ever  he  might  strike  again,  I  caught 
that  murderous  arm,  and,  for  all  his  slendemess  and 
seeming  youth,  a  mighty  desperate  tussle  we  made  of 
it  ere  I  contrived  to  twist  the  weapon  from  his  grasp 
and  fling  him  panting  to  the  sward,  where  I  pinned 
him  beneath  my  foot.  Then  as  I  reached  for  the  knife 
where  it  had  fallen,  he  cried  out  to  me  in  his  shrill, 
strangely  clear  voice,  and  with  sudden,  fierce  hands 
wrenched  apart  the  laces  and  fine  linens  at  his  breast: 
"Stay !"  cried  he.  "Don't  kill  me — you  cannot !" 
Now  looking  down  on  him  where  he  lay  gasping  and 
writhing  beneath  my  foot,  I  started  back  all  in  a  mo- 
ment, back  until  I  was  stayed  by  the  rampire,  for  I 
saw  that  here  was  no  man  but  a  young  and  comely 
woman. 


CHAPTER  II 
My  Troubles  Begin 

Whiles  I  yet  stood,  knife  in  hand,  staring  at  her 
and  mute  for  wonder,  she  pulled  off  the  close-fitting 
seaman's  bonnet  she  wore  and  scowling  up  at  me  shook 
do^vn  the  abundant  tresses  of  her  hair. 

"Beast!"  said  she.     "Oh,  beast — you  hurt  me!" 

"Who  are  you?"  I  questioned. 

"One  that  doth  hate  you !"  Here  she  took  a  silver 
comb  from  her  pocket  and  fell  to  smoothing  her  hair; 
and  as  she  sat  thus  cross-legged  upon  the  grass,  I  saw 
that  the  snowy  linen  at  throat  and  bosom  was  spotted 
with  great  gouts  of  blood. 

"Are  ye  wounded?"  quoth  I,  pointing  to  these  ugly 
stains. 

"Bah !  'Tis  none  of  mine,  fool !  'Tis  the  blood  of 
Cestiforo!" 

"Who  is  he?" 

"The  captain  of  yon  ship." 

"How  cometh  liis  blood  on  you?" 

"  'Twas  when  I  killed  him." 

"You— killed  him?" 

"Aye — he  wearied  me.  So  do  all  my  lovers,  soon 
or  late." 

Now  as  I  looked  on  this  woman,  the  strange,  sullen 
beauty  of  her  (despite  her  masculine  apparel)  as  she 
sat  thus  combing  her  long  hair  and  foul  with  a  dead 
man's  blood,  I  bethought  me  of  the  wild  tales  I  had 
heard  of  female  daemons,  succubi  and  the  like,  so  that 
I  felt  my  flesh  chill  and  therewith  a  great  disgust  and 


My  Troubles  Begin  7 

loathing  of  her,  insomuch  that,  not  abiding  the  sight 
of  her,  I  turned  away  and  thus  beheld  a  thing  the  which 
filled  me  with  sudden,  great  dismay:  for  there,  her 
sails  spread  to  the  fitful  wind,  I  saw  the  ship  standing 
out  to  sea,  bearing  with  her  all  my  hopes  of  escape  from 
this  hated  island.  Thus  stood  I,  watching  deliverance 
fade  on  my  sight,  until  the  ship  was  no  more  than  a 
speck  upon  the  moon-bright  waters  and  all  other 
thoughts  'whelmed  and  lost  in  raging  despair.  And 
now  I  was  roused  by  a  question  sudden  and  imperi- 
ous :  ji 

"Who  are  you.?" 

"  'Tis  no  matter." 

"How  came  you  here?" 

"  'Tis  no  matter  for  that,  either." 

"Are  you  alone?" 

"Aye !" 

"Then  wherefore  trouble  to  shave  your  beard?" 

"'Tis  a  whim." 

"Are  you  alone?" 

"I  was." 

"And  I  would  you  were  again." 

"So  do  I." 

"You  are  Englishman — yes.'"' 

"I  am." 

"My  mother  was  English — a  poor  thing  that  spent 
her  days  weeping  and  died  of  her  tears  when  I  was 
small — ah,  very  small,  on  this  island." 

"Here?"  quoth  I,  staring. 

"Twenty  and  one  years  agone!"  said  she,  combing 
away  at  her  glossy  hair.  "My  mother  was  English 
like  you,  but  my  father  was  a  noble  gentleman  of  Spain 
and  Governor  of  Santa  Catalina,  Don  Esteban  da  Silva 
y  Montreale,  and  killed  by  Tressady — Black  Tres- 
sady " 

"What,  Roger  Tressady— o'  the  Hook?" 

"True,    Senor    Englishman,"    said    she    softly    and 


8        Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

glancing  up  at  me  through  her  hair;  "he  hath  a  hook 
very  sharp  and  bright,  in  place  of  his  left  hand.  You 
know  him?     He   is   your   friend — yes?" 

"I  know  him  for  a  cursed  pirate  and  murderer!" 

"Moi  aiissi,  mon  amir*  said  she,  fixing  me  with  her 
great  eyes.  "I  am  pirate,  yes — and  have  used  dagger 
and  pistol  ere  to-day  and  shall  again.'* 

"And  wear  a  woman's  shape !" 

"Ha — ^yes,  yes !"  cried  she,  gnashing  her  teeth. 
"And  there's  my  curse — I  am  woman  and  therefore  do 
hate  all  women.  But  my  soul  is  a  man's  so  do  I  use 
all  men  to  my  purpose,  snare  them  by  my  woman'^s  arts 
and  make  of  'em  my  slaves.  See  you;  there  is  none 
of  all  my  lovers  but  doth  obey  me,  and  so  do  I  rule, 
with  ships  and  men  at  my  command  and  fearing  no 
man " 

"And  yet,"  said  I,  interrupting,  "you  came  fleeing 
hither  to  save  your  life  from  yonder  rabblement." 

"Tush — these  were  mostly  drunken  rogues  that  knew 
me  not,  'listed  but  late  from  a  prize  we  took  and  burned. 
I  shall  watch  them  die  yet !  Soon  shall  come  Belvedere 
in  the  Happy  Despatch  to  my  relief,  or  Rodriquez  of 
the  Vengeance  or  Rory  or  Sol — one  or  other  or  all  shall 
come  a-seeking  me,  soon  or  late.  Meantime,  I  bide 
here  and  'tis  well  you  stayed  me  from  killing  you,  for 
though  I  love  not  Englishmen,  I  love  solitude  less, 
so  are  you  safe  from  me  so  long  as  we  be  solitary. 
Ah — you  smile  because  you  are  fool  and  know  me  not 
yet  I  Ah,  ah — mayhap  you  shall  grow  wiser  anon. 
But  now,"  said  she,  rising  and  putting  away  her  comb, 
'*bring  me  where  I  may  eat,  for  I  am  famished  with 
hunger." 

"Also  you  are  very  foul  of  blood !"  said  I. 

"Yes,"  says  she  soft-voiced,  and  glancing  from  me 
to  her  stained  finery  and  back  again.  "Yes.  And  is 
this  so  great  a  matter?" 

"To-night  you  murdered  a  man  I** 


My  Troubles  Begin  9 

"I  killed  him — yes.  Cestiforo — he  was  drunk.  And 
was  this  so  great  a  matter?" 

"And  you — a  woman !"  said  I,  marvelling. 

"Aye,  to  my  sorrow !"  said  she,  gnashing  white  teeth. 
"Yet  am  I  strong  as  a  man  and  bolder  than  most." 

"God  preserve  me  from  such!"  quoth  I  fervently. 

"You — you?"  cried  she.  "What  thing  are  you  that 
seeming  man  must  blench  at  a  little  blood?  Are  you 
yourself  so  innocent,  you  that  know  Tressady  o'  the 
Hook?" 

"Howbeit  I  am  no  murderer,  woman." 

"Ah — bah !"  cried  she,  with  flick  of  scornful  fingers. 
"Enough  of  words.  Master  Innocent.  Bring  me  where 
I  may  eat  and  bed  me  till  morning." 

Thereupon  (and  mighty  unwilling)  I  brought  her 
into  the  cave  and  lighting  two  candles  of  my  own  con- 
triving, I  set  before  her  such  viands  as  I  had,  together 
with  bread  I  had  newly  baked,  and  with  no  word  of 
thanks  this  strange,  fierce  creature  fell  to  eating  with 
a  voracity  methought  very  disgusting. 

Now  the  more  I  saw  of  her  the  more  grew  m.y  dis- 
gust and  the  end  of  it  was  I  determined  to  put  the 
whole  length  of  the  island  betwixt  us  and  that  at  once. 
To  this  end  I  began  collecting  such  articles  as  I  should 
want,  as  my  Hght  hatchet,  sword,  pistols,  etc.  I  was 
buckling  on  my  belt  when  her  voice  arrested  me,  albeit 
she  spoke  me  very  sweetly  and  soft : 

"You  go  now  to  your  woman — your  light  of  love — 
yes?" 

"There  is  no  woman  but  yourself,"  said  I,  frown- 
ing. 

"Liar !  Then  what  of  this?"  and  she  pointed  slender 
finger ;  then  I  saw  that  tattered  garment  lying  where 
I  had  dropped  it  and  this  woman  spurning  it  with  her 
foot.  So  I  stooped  forth\^dth,  and  snatching  it  from 
her  desecrating  touch,  folded  it  across  my  arm,  whereat 
she  fell  to  sudden  laughter  very  ill  to  bear. 


10      Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

"Ah — ah!"  said  she,  softer  than  before  and  most 
hatefully  a-smiling,  "  'tis  for  her  sake  your  chin  goeth 
bare  and  smooth — yes?  She  is  over-nice  in  the  mat- 
ter of " 

"I  tell  you  she  is  gone !"  said  I  in  fury. 

*'Gone — gone,  is  she?  And  you  alone  here,  longing 
but  for  her  return,  through  weeks  and  months  and 
years  waiting  for  her  to  come  back  to  you ;  is  not  this  the 
truth  of  it,  yes?"  Now  I,  knowing  this  for  very  truth, 
could  but  scowl,  finding  no  word  to  say,  whiles  this 
creature  nodded  and  flashed  white  teeth  in  her  hateful 
smile.  "You  loved  this  woman,"  said  she,  "do  love 
her;  dead  or  living,  rotting  bones  or  another's  delight, 
you  do  love  her  yet,  poor,  miserable  fool !" 

All  unheeding,  I  folded  the  garment  with  reverent 
hands  while  she  taunted  me  thus,  until,  seeing  me 
nothing  moved,  she  fell  to  rank  vileness,  bespattering 
that  pure  memory  with  tongue  so  shamelessly  foul  that 
I  (losing  all  patience)  turned  on  her  at  last;  but  in 
this  moment  she  was  on  her  feet  and  snatching  my 
sword  made  therewith  a  furious  pass  at  me,  the  which 
I  contrived  to  parry  and,  catching  the  blade  in  this 
beloved  garment,  I  wrenched  the  weapon  from  her. 
Then,  pinning  her  in  fierce  grip  and  despite  her  furi- 
ous struggles  and  writhing,  I  belaboured  her  soundly 
with  the  flat  of  the  blade,  she  meanwhile  swearing  and 
cursing  at  me  in  Spanish  and  English  as  vilely  as  ever 
I  had  done  in  all  my  days,  until  her  voice  broke  and 
she  choked  upon  a  great  sob.  Thereupon  I  flung  her 
across  my  bed  and  taking  such  things  as  I  needed, 
strode  out  of  the  cave  and  so  left  her. 

But  scarce  was  I  without  the  cave  than  she  came 
following  after  me ;  and  truly  never  was  greater  change, 
for  in  place  of  snarling  dasmon  here  was  tender  maid 
all  tearful  sighs,  gentle-eyed  and  with  clasped  hands 
reached  out  to  me  in  supplication  and  (despite  her 
male  attire)  all  woman. 


My  Troubles  Begin  II 

Perceiving  the  which,  I  turned  my  back  upon  her 
and  hasted  away  all  the  faster. 

So  here  was  I,  that  had  grieved  in  my  solitude  and 
yearned  amain  for  human  fellowship,  heartily  wishing 
myself  alone  again  and  full  of  a  new  apprehension, 
viz:  That  my  island  being  so  small  I  m.ight  chance 
to  find  the  avoidance  of  this  evil  creature  a  matter 
of  some  difficulty,  even  though  I  abandoned  my  caves 
and  furniture  to  her  use  and  sought  me  another  habi- 
tation. 

Now  as  I  went  I  fell  to  uneasy  speculation  regard- 
ing this  woman,  her  fierce,  wild  beauty,  her  shameless 
tongue,  her  proud  and  passionate  temper,  her  reck- 
less furies;  and  bethinking  me  of  all  the  manifest  evil 
of  her,  I  felt  again  that  chill  of  the  flesh,  that  inde- 
finable disgust,  insomuch  that  (the  moon  being  bright 
and  full)  I  must  glance  back,  more  than  once,  half- 
dreading  to  see  her  creeping  on  my  heels. 

Having  traversed  Deliverance  Sands  I  came  into 
that  cleft  or  defile,  'twixt  bush-girt,  steepy  cliffs,  called 
Skeleton  Cove,  where  I  had  builded  me  a  forge  with 
bellows  of  goatskin.  Here,  too,  I  had  set  up  an  anvil 
(the  which  had  come  ashore  in  a  wreck,  together  with 
divers  other  tools)  and  a  bench  for  my  carpentry. 
The  roof  of  this  smithy  backed  upon  a  cavern  wherein 
I  stored  my  tools,  timber  and  various  odds  and 
ends. 

This  place,  then,  I  determined  should  be  my  habita- 
tion henceforth,  there  being  a  little  rill  of  sweet  water 
adjacent  and  the  cave  itself  dry  and  roomy  and  so  shut 
in  by  precipitous  cliffs  that  any  who  might  come  to  my 
disturbance  must  come  only  in  the  one  direction. 

And  now,  as  I  judged,  there  being  yet  some  hours 
to  sunrise,  I  made  myself  as  comfortable  as  might  be 
and  having  laid  by  sword  and  belt  and  set  my  pistols 
within  easy  reach,  I  laid  down  and  composed  myself 
to  slumber.     But  this  I  could  by  no  means  compass, 


12      Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

being  fretted  of  distressful  thought  and  made  vain  and 
bitter  repining  for  this  ship  that  had  come  and  sailed, 
leaving  me  a  captive  still,  prisoned  on  this  hateful 
island  with  this  wild  creature  that  methought  more 
daemon  than  woman.  And  seeing  myself  thus  mocked 
of  Fortune  (in  my  blind  folly)  I  fell  to  reviling  the 
God  that  made  me.  Howbeit  sleep  overtook  me  at 
last,  but  an  evil  slumber  haunted  by  visions  of  this 
woman,  her  beauty  fouled  and  bloody,  who  sought  out 
my  destruction  where  I  lay  powerless  to  resist  her  will. 
Low  she  bent  above  me,  her  dusky  hair  a  cloud  that 
choked  me,  and  through  this  cloud  the  glitter  of  her 
eyes,  red  lips  that  curled  back  from  snapping  teeth, 
fingers  clawed  to  rend  and  tear;  then  as  I  gazed  in 
horror,  these  eyes  grew  soft  and  languorous,  these 
vivid  lips  trembled  to  wistful  smile,  these  cruel  hands 
clasped,  soft-clinging,  and  drew  me  near  and  ever 
nearer  towards  that  smiling,  tender  mouth,  until  I 
waked  in  a  panic  to  behold  the  dawn  and  against  the 
sun^s  growing  splendour  the  woman  standing  and  hold- 
ing my  pistols  levelled  at  me  as  I  lay. 

Now  I  do  think  there  is  no  hale  man,  howsoever 
desperate  and  careless  of  life,  but  who,  faced  with  sud- 
den, violent  death,  will  not  of  instinct  blench  and  find 
himself  mighty  unready  to  take  the  leap  into  that  dark 
unknown  whose  dread  doth  fright  us  one  and  all ;  how- 
beit thus  was  it  with  me,  for  now  as  I  stared  from  the 
pistol  muzzle  to  the  merciless  eyes  behind  them,  I,  that 
had  hitherto  esteemed  death  no  hardship,  lay  there  in 
dumb  and  sweating  panic,  and,  knowing  myself  afraid, 
scorned  and  hated  myself  therefor. 

"Ah — ah!"  said  she  softly  but  with  flash  of  white 
teeth.  "Will  ye  cower  then,  you  beater  of  women.? 
Down  to  your  knees — down  and  sue  pardon  of  me!" 
But  now,  stung  by  her  words  and  the  quaking  of  my 
coward  flesh,  I  found  voice. 

"Shoot,  wanton!"  said  I.     "Shoot,  lest  I  beat  yott 


My  Troubles  Begin  13 

again  for  the  vile,  shameless  thing  you  are."  At  this 
she  flinched  and  her  fierce  eyes  wavered;  then  she 
laughed  loud  and  shrill: 

"Will  ye  die  then?     Yes?     Will  ye  die?" 
"Aye,"  I  nodded.      "So  I  may  be  quit  of  you." 
"Hath  dying  then  no  fears  for  you — no?" 
"  'Tis  overpast !"  quoth  I. 

"Liar!"  said  she.  "Wipe  the  craven  sweat  from 
you!  You  beat  me,  and  for  this  you  should  die,  but 
though  you  fear  death  you  shall  live  to  fear  me  more 
— aye,  you  shall  live   awhile — take   your  life!" 

So  saying,  she  tossed  the  pistols  down  beside  me 
and  laughed. 

"When  I  wish  to  kill  and  be  done  with  you,  my  steel 
shall  take  you  in  your  sleep,  or  you  shall  die  by  poi- 
son; there  be  many  roots  and  berries  hereabout,  In- 
dian poisons  I  wot  of.  So  your  life  is  mine  to  take 
whensoever  I  will." 

"How  if  I  kill  you  first?" 

"Ah,  bah!"  said  she,  snapping  her  fingers.  "Try 
an  you  will — but  I  know  men  and  you  are  not  the  kill- 
ing sort.  I've  faced  death  too  oft  to  fear  it,  or  the 
likes  of  you.  There  lie  your  pistols,  fool ;  take  'em  and 
shoot  me  if  you  will!" 

Thereupon  I  stooped  and  catching  up  the  pistols 
tossed  them  behind  me. 

"And  now,"  said  I,  rising,  "leave  me — ^begone  lest 
I  thrash  you  again  for  the  evil  child  you  are." 

"Child?"  says  she,  staring  as  one  vastly  amazed, 
"child — and  to  me,  fool,  to  me?  All  along  the  Main 
my  name  is  known  and  feared." 

"So  now  will  I  whip  you,"  quoth  I,  "had  others  done 
as  much  ere  this,  you  had  been  a  little  less  evil,  per- 
chance." And  I  reached  down  a  coil  of  small  cord 
where  it  hung  with  divers  other  odds  and  ends.  For 
a  moment  she  watched  me,  scowling  and  fierce-eyed, 
then  as  I  approached  her  with  the  cords  in  my  hands. 


14      Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

she  turned  on  her  heel  with  a  swirl  of  her  embroidered 
coat-skirts  and  strode  away,  mighty  proud  and  dis- 
dainful. 

When  she  was  clean  gone  I  gathered  me  brush  and 
driftwood,  and  striking  flint  and  steel  soon  had  a  fire 
going  and  set  about  cooking  certain  strips  of  dried 
goat's  flesh  for  my  breakfast.  Whiles  this  was  a-doing 
I  was  startled  by  a  sudden  clatter  upon  the  cliff  above 
and  down  comes  a  great  boulder,  narrowly  missing  me 
but  scattering  my  breakfast  and  the  embers  of  my  fire 
broadcast.  I  was  yet  surveying  the  ruin  (dolefully 
enough,  for  I  was  mighty  hungry)  when  hearing  a 
shrill  laugh  I  glanced  up  to  find  her  peering  down  at 
me  from  above.  Meeting  my  frowning  look  she 
laughed  again,  and  snapping  her  fingers  at  me,  van- 
ished 'mid  the  bushes. 

Spoiled  thus  of  my  breakfast  I  was  necessitated  to 
stay  my  hunger  with  such  viands  as  I  had  by  me. 
Now  as  I  sat  eating  thus  and  in  very  ill  humour,  my 
wandering  gaze  lighted  by  chance  on  the  shattered  re- 
mains of  a  boat  that  lay  high  and  dry  where  the  last 
great  storm  had  cast  it.  At  one  time  I  had  hoped  that 
I  might  make  this  a  means  to  escape  from  the  island 
and  had  laboured  to  repair  and  make  it  seaworthy 
but,  finding  this  beyond  my  skill,  had  abandoned  the 
attempt;  for  indeed  (as  I  say)  it  was  wofully  bilged 
and  broken.  Moreover,  at  the  back  of  my  mind  had 
always  lurked  a  vague  hope  that  some  day,  soon  or 
late,  she  that  was  ever  in  my  dreams,  she  that  had  been 
my  love,  my  Damaris,  might  yet  in  her  sweet  mercy 
come  a-seeking  me.  Wherefore,  as  I  have  before  told, 
it  had  become  my  daily  custom,  morn  and  eve,  to  climb 
that  high  land  that  I  called  the  Hill  of  Blessed  Hope, 
that  I  might  watch  for  my  lady's  coming. 

But  to-day,  since  Fate  had  set  me  in  company  with 
this  evil  creature,  instead  of  my  noble  lady,  I  came 
to  a  sudden  and  fixed  resolution,  viz:     That  I  would 


My  Troubles  Begin  IS 

waste  not  another  hour  in  vain  dreams  and  idle  ex- 
pectations but  would  use  all  my  wit  and  every  en- 
deavour to  get  quit  of  the  island  so  soon  as  might  be. 
Filled  with  this  determination  I  rose  and,  coming  to 
the  boat,  began  to  examine  it. 

And  I  saw  this :  it  was  very  stout-built  but  its  planks 
wofully  shrunk  with  the  sun,  and  though  much  stove 
forward,  more  especially  to  larboard,  yet  its  main  tim- 
bers looked  sound  enough.  Then,  too,  it  lay  none  so 
far  from  high-water  mark  and  despite  its  size  and 
bulk  I  thought  that  by  digging  a  channel  I  might 
bring  water  sufficient  to  float  it,  could  I  but  make  good 
the  breakage  and  caulk  the  gaping  seams. 

The  longer  I  looked  the  more  hopeful  I  grew  and 
the  end  of  it  was  I  hasted  to  bring  such  tools  as  I 
needed  and  forthwith  set  to  work.  All  the  morning, 
and  despite  the  sun,  I  laboured  upon  this  wrecked  boat, 
stripping  off  her  cracked  and  splintered  timbers  and 
mightily  pleased  to  find  her  framework  so  much  less 
damaged  than  I  had  dared  hope,  insomuch  that  I  pres- 
ently fell  a-whistling;  but  coming  on  three  ribs  badly 
sprung  I  became  immediately  dejected.  Howbeit  I 
had  all  the  wood  I  could  wish  as  planks,  bulkheads  and 
the  like,  all  driven  ashore  from  wrecked  vessels,  with 
bolts  and  nuts  a-plenty;  thus  as  I  worked  I  presently 
fell  a-whistling  again. 

Suddenly,  I  was  aware  of  the  woman  watching  me, 
and  glancing  at  her  as  she  leaned  cross-legged  against 
an  adjacent  boulder,  she  seemed  no  woman  but  a  pert 
and  handsome  lad  rather.  Her  thick  hair,  very  dark 
and  glossy,  fell  in  curls  to  her  shoulders  like  a  modish 
wig,  her  coat  was  of  fine  blue  velvet  adorned  with  silver 
lace,  her  cravat  and  ruffles  looked  new-washed  like  her 
silk  stockings,  and  on  her  slender  feet  were  a  pair  of 
dainty,  buckled  shoes;  all  this  I  noticed  as  she  lolled, 
watching  me  with  her  sombre  gaze. 

"What  would  you  with  the  wreck,  fool?"  she  de- 


l6     Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

manded,  whereupon  I  immediately  betook  me  to  fliy 
whistling. 

"You  do  grow  merry!''  said  she,  frowning,  whiles 
I  whistled  the  louder.  And  when  she  would  have 
spoken  further,  I  fell  to  hammering  lustily,  drowning 
her  voice  thereby. 

"Will  you  not  speek  with  me  then — ^no?"  she  ques- 
tioned, when  at  last  I  paused.  But  I  heeding  her  no 
whit,  she  began  swearing  at  me  and  I  to  hammering 
again. 

"Curst  fool!''  cried  she  at  last,  "I  spit  on  you!" 
The  which  she  did  and  so  swaggered  away  and  I  whis- 
tling merrier  than  ever. 


CHAPTER  III 
How  I  Heard  a  Song  That  I  Knew 

I  WAS  early  at  work  next  morning,  since  now  my 
mind  was  firm-set  on  quitting  the  island  at  all  hazards, 
thereby  winning  free  of  this  woman  once  and  for  all. 
To  this  end  I  laboured  heartily,  sparing  myself  no 
pains  and  heedless  of  sweat  and  sun-glare,  very  joyous 
to  see  my  work  go  forward  apace;  and  ere  the  sun 
was  very  high  my  boat  lay  stripped  of  all  the  splin- 
tered timbers  on  the  larboard  side.  My  next  care  was 
to  choose  me  such  planks  from  my  store  of  driftwood 
as  by  reason  of  shape  and  thickness  should  be  best 
adapted  to  my  purpose.  And  great  plenty  of  wrought 
wood  had  I  and  of  all  sorts,  it  having  long  been  my 
wont  to  collect  the  best  of  such  as  drove  ashore  and 
store  it  within  those  caves  that  opened  on  Deliverance 
Beach.  Thus,  after  no  great  search,  I  had  discovered 
all  such  planking  as  I  needed  and  forthwith  began  to 
convey  it  down  to  the  boat. 

In  the  which  labour  the  woman  met  me  (I  stagger- 
ing under  a  load  of  my  planks)  and  strutted  along 
beside  me,  vastly  supercilious  and  sneering. 

"Hold!"  cried  she.  "He  sweateth,  he  panteth  pur- 
ple o'  the  gills!     And  wherefore,  to  what  end.?" 

"To  win  free  of  two  things  do  weary  me." 

«Ah— ah?     And  these?" 

"This  island  and  yourself." 


i8      Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

"So!  Do  I  then  weary  you,  good  Master  Inno- 
cence?" 

"Mightily!" 

"Ah — bah !     'Tis  because  you  be  fool  and  no  man !" 

"Mayhap,"  said  I,  taking  up  my  hammer,  "howbeit 
I  do  know  this  island  for  a  prison  and  you  for  an  evil 
thing " 

"Ah!"  sighed  she  softly.  "I  have  had  men  hanged 
for  saying  less !" 

"So  would  I  be  quit  of  you  as  soon  as  may  be,"  said 
I,  fitting  my  first  timber  in  place  whiles  she  watched 
me,  mighty  disdainful. 

"So  you  would  mend  the  boat,  amigo  mio,  and  sail 
away  from  the  island  and  me — yes  ?" 

"God  knoweth  it !" 

"Mayhap  He  doth,  but  what  o'  me?  Think  ye  I 
shall  suffer  you  to  leave  me  here  alone  and  destitute, 
fool?" 

"The  which  is  to  be  seen !"  said  I ;  and  having  meas- 
ured my  plank  and  sawed  it  to  proper  length  I  began  to 
rivet  it  to  the  frame,  making  such  din  with  my  hammer 
that  she,  unable  to  make  herself  heard,  presently  strode 
away  in  a  fury,  to  my  great  content. 

But,  in  a  little  back  she  cometh,  and  on  her  hip  that 
bejewelled  Spanish  rapier  that  had  once  been  part  of 
Black  Bartlemy's  treasure  (as  hath  been  told)  and 
which  (having  my  own  stout  cut-and-thrust)  I  had  not 
troubled  to  bring  away  from  the  cave. 

Whipping  out  the  long  blade  then,  she  makes  with  it 
various  passes  in  the  air,  very  supple  and  dexterous, 
and  would  have  me  fight  with  her  then  and  there. 

"So-ho,  fool!"  cried  she,  brandishing  her  weapon. 
**You  have  a  sword,  I  mind — go  fetch  it  and  I  will 
teach  ye  punto  riverso,  the  stoccato,  the  imbrocato, 
and  let  you  some  o'  your  sluggish,  English  blood.  Go 
fetch  the  sword,  I  bid  ye." 

But  I  nothing  heeding,  she  forthwith  pricked  me  into 


How  I  Heard  a  Song  That  I  Knew    19 

the  arm,  whereon  I  caught  up  a  sizable  timber  to  my 
defence  but  found  it  avail  me  no  whit  against  her  skill 
and  nimbleness,  for  thrice  her  blade  leapt  and  thrice 
I  flinched  to  the  shai*p  bite  of  her  steel,  until,  goaded 
thus  and  what  with  her  devilish  mockery  and  my  own 
helplessness,  I  fell  to  raging  anger  and  hauled  my  tim- 
ber full  at  her,  the  which,  chancing  to  catch  her  upon 
an  elbow,  she  let  fall  her  sword  and,  clasping  her  hurt, 
fell  suddenly  a-weeping.  Yet,  even  so,  betwixt  her 
sobs  and  moans  she  cursed  and  reviled  me  shamefully 
and  so  at  last  took  herself  off,  sobbing  wofully. 

This  put  me  to  no  little  perturbation  and  distress 
lest  I  had  harmed  her  more  than  I  had  meant,  inso- 
much that  I  was  greatly  minded  to  follow  her  and  see 
if  this  were  so  indeed.  But  in  the  end  I  went  back  to 
my  boat  and  laboured  amain,  for  it  seemed  to  me  the 
sooner  I  was  quit  of  her  fellowship  the  better,  lest  she 
goad  me  into  maiming  or  slaying  her  outright. 

Thus  worked  I  (and  despite  the  noon's  heat)  until 
the  sun  began  to  decline  and  I  was  parched  with  thirst. 
But  now,  as  I  fitted  the  last  of  my  timbers  into  place, 
the  board  slipped  my  nerv^eless  grasp  and,  despite  the 
heat,  a  sudden  chill  swept  over  me  as  borne  upon  the 
stilly  air  came  a  voice,  soft  and  rich  and  sweet,  up- 
lifted in  song  and  the  words  these : 

"There  be  two  at  the  fore 
At  the  main  hang  three  more 
Dead  men  that   swing  all  in  a  row 
Here's  fine,  dainty  m.eat 
For  the   fishes  to  eat, 
Black  Bartlemy — Bartlemy,  ho!" 

Awhile  I  leaned  there  against  the  boat,  remember- 
ing how  and  with  whom  I  had  last  heard  this  song, 
then  wheeling  about  I  caught  my  breath  and  stared 
as  one  that  sees  at  last  a  long-desired,  oft-prayed-for 
vision :  for  there,  pacing  demurely  along  the  beach 
towards  me,  her  body's  shapely  loveliness  offset  by  em- 


20      Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

broidered  gown,  her  dark  and  glossy  ringlets  caught 
up  by  jewelled  comb,  I  thought  to  behold  again  the 
beloved  shape  of  her  I  had  lost  well-nigh  three  weary 
years   agone. 

"Damaris!"  I  wliispered,  "Oh,  loved  woman  of  my 
dreams!"  And  I  took  a  long  stride  towfirds  her,  then 
stopped  and  bowed  my  head,  suddenly  faint  and  heart- 
sick, for  now  I  saw  here  was  no  more  than  this  woman 
who  had  fled  me  a  while  ago  with  curses  on  her  tongue. 
Here  she  stood  all  wistful-eyed  and  tricked  out  in 
one  of  those  fine  gowns  from  Black  Bartlemy's  secret 
store  the  which  had  once  been  my  dear  lady's  delight. 

Now  in  her  hands  she  bore  a  pipkin  brimful  of  goat's 
milk. 

"I  prithee,  sir,"  said  she  softly,  "tell  now — shall 
there  be  room  for  me  in  your  boat?" 

"Never  in  this  world!" 

"You  were  wiser  to  seek  my  love  than  my  hate " 

"I  seek  neither !" 

"Being  a  fool,  yes.  But  the  sun  is  hot  and  you  will 
be  a  thirsty  fool " 

"Where  learned  you  that  evil  song?" 

"In  Tortuga  when  I  was  a  child.  But  come,  drink, 
amigo  mio,  drink  an  you  will " 

"Wlience  had  3'ou  that  gown?" 

"Ah — ah,  you  love  me  better  thus,  yes?  Why,  'tis 
a  pretty  govm  truly,  though  out  o'  the  fashion.  But, 
will  you  not  drink?" 

Now,  as  I  have  told,  I  was  parched  with  thirst  and 
the  spring  some  way  off,  so  taking  the  pipkin  I  drained 
it  at  a  draught  and  muttering  my  thanks,  handed  it 
back  to  her.  Then  I  got  me  to  my  labour  again,  yet 
very  conscious  of  her  as  she  sat  to  watch,  so  that  more 
than  once  I  missed  my  stroke  and  my  fingers  seemed 
strangely  awkward.  And  after  she  had  sat  thus  silent 
a  great  while,  she  spoke: 

"You  be  mighty  diligent,  and  to  no  purpose." 


How  I  Heard  a  Song  That  I  Knew.    21 

"How  mean  you?" 

"I  mean  this  boat  of  yours  snail  never  sau  except  I 
sail  in  her." 

"WTiich  is  yet  to  prove!"  said  I,  feeling  the  air  ex- 
ceeding close  and  stifling. 

"Regard  now,  Master  Innocence,"  said  she,  holding 
up  one  hand  and  ticking  off  these  several  items  on  her 
fingers  as  she  spoke :  "You  have  crossed  me  once.  You 
have  beat  me  once.  You  have  refused  me  honourable 
fight.  You  have  hurt  me  with  vile  club.  And  now 
you  would  leave  me  here  alone  to  perish " 

"All  true  save  the  last,"  quoth  I,  finding  my  breath 
with  strange  difficulty,  "for  though  alone  you  need 
not  perish,  for  I  will  show  you  where — where  you — 

shall  find  abundance — of  food — and "     But  here  I 

stopped  and  gasped  as  an  intolerable  pain  shot 
through  me. 

"Ah — ah!"  said  she,  leaning  forward  to  stare  at  me 
keen-eyed.  "And  doth  it  begin  to  work — yes.?  Doth 
it  begin  so  soon.?" 

"Woman,"  I  cried,  as  my  pains  increased,  "what 
mean  you  now?  Why  d'ye  stare  on  me  so?  God 
help  me,  what  have  j^ou  done " 

"The  milk,  fool!"  said  she,  smiling. 

"Ha — what  devil's  brew — poison " 

"I  warned  you  but,  being  fool,  you  nothing  heeded 

—no  r 

Now  hereupon  I  went  aside  and,  dreading  to  die  thus 
miserably,  thrust  a  finger  down  my  throat  and  was 
direly  sick ;  thereafter,  not  abiding  the  sun's  intolerable 
heat,  I  crawled  into  the  shade  of  a  rock  and  lay  there 
as  it  were  in  a  black  mist  and  myself  all  clammy  with 
a  horrible,  cold  sweat.  And  presently  in  my  anguish, 
feeling  a  hand  shake  me,  I  lifted  swooning  eyes  to  find 
this  woman  bending  above  me. 

"How  now,"  said  she-,  "wilt  crave  mercy  of  me  and 
live?" 


2,2     Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

"Devil!"  I  gasped,  "Let  me  die  and  be  done  with 
you  1" 

At  this  she  laughed  and  stooped  low  and  lower  until 
her  hair  came  upon  my  face  and  I  might  look  into  the 
glowing  deeps  of  her  eyes ;  and  then  her  arms  were 
about  me,  very  strong  and  compelling. 

"Look — look  into  my  eyes,  deep — deep!"  she  com- 
manded.    "Now — ha — speak  me  your  name!" 

"Martin,"  I  gasped  in  my  agony. 

"Mar — tin,"  said  she  slowly.  "I  will  call  you  Mar- 
tino.  Look  now,  Martino,  have  you  not  seen  me  long — ■ 
long  ere  this.^^" 

"No!"  I  groaned.     "God  forbid!" 

"And  yet  we  have  met,  Martino,  in  this  world  or  an- 
other, or  mayhap  in  the  world  of  dreams.  But  we 
have  met — somewhere,  at  some  time,  and  in  that  time 
I  grasped  you  thus  in  my  arms  and  stared  down  thus 
into  your  eyes  and  in  that  hour  I,  having  killed  you, 
watched  you  die,  and  fain  would  have  won  you  back 
to  life  and  me,  for  you  were  a  man, — ah,  yej,  a  man 
in  those  dim  days.  But  now — ah,  bah!  You  are  but 
poor  fool  cozened  into  swallowing  a  harmless  drug; 
to-morrow  you  shall  be  your  sluggish  self.  Now  sleep, 
but  know  this — I  may  slay  you  whenso  I  will!  Ah, 
ah — 'tis  better  to  win  my  love  than  my  hate."  So 
she  loosed  me  and  stood  a  while  looking  down  on  me, 
then  motioned  with  imperious  hand:  "Sleep,  fool — 
sleep !"  she  commanded  and  f  ro^vning,  turned  away. 
And  as  she  went  I  heard  her  singing  of  that  vile  song 
again  ere  I  sank  into  unconsciousness: 

"There  are  two  at  the  fore 
At  the  main  hang  three  more 
Dead  men  that  swing  all  of  a  row — -^ 


CHAPTER  IV 

How  I  Laboured  to  My  Salvation" 

I  FOUND  myself  still  somewhat  qualmish  next  morn- 
ing but,  none  the  less,  got  me  to  labour  on  the  boat 
and,  her  damage  being  now  made  good  on  her  larboard 
side,  so  far  as  her  timbering  went,  I  proceeded  to  make 
her  seams  as  water-tight  as  I  could.  This  I  did  by 
means  of  the  fibre  of  those  great  nuts  that  grew  plente- 
ously  here  and  there  on  the  island,  mixed  with  the  gum 
of  a  certain  tree  in  place  of  pitch,  ramming  my  gummed 
fibre  into  every  joint  and  crevice  of  the  boat's  struc- 
ture so  that  what  with  this  and  the  swelling  of  her 
timbers  when  launched  I  doubted  not  she  would  prove 
sufficiently  staunch  and  seaworthy.  She  was  a  stout- 
built  craft  some  sixteen  feet  in  length;  and  indeed  a 
poor  enough  thing  she  might  have  seemed  to  any  but 
myself,  her  weather-beaten  timbers  shrunken  and 
warped  by  the  sun's  immoderate  heats,  but  to  me  she 
had  become  as  it  were  a  sign  and  symbol  of  freedom. 
She  lay  upon  her  starboard  beam  half  full  of  sand, 
and  it  now  became  my  object  to  turn  her  that  I  might 
come  at  this  under  side,  wherefore  I  fell  to  work  with 
mattock  and  spade  to  free  her  of  the  sand  wherein 
(as  I  say)  she  lay  half-buried.  This  done  I  hove  and 
strained  until  the  sweat  poured  from  me  yet  found  it 
impossible  to  move  her,  strive  how  I  would.  Here- 
upon, and  after  some  painful  thought,  I  took  to  dig- 
ging away  the  sand,  undermining  her  thus  until  she 
lay  so  nicely  balanced  it  needed  but  a  push  and  the 


24      Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

cumbrous  structure,  rolling  gently  over,  lay  in  the 
necessary  posture,  viz:  with  her  starboard  beam  acces- 
sible from  gunwale  to  keel.  And  mightily  heartened 
was  I  thus  to  discover  her  damage  hereabouts  so  much 
less  than  I  had  dared  hope. 

So  I  got  me  to  work  with  saw,  hammer  and  rivets 
and  wrought  so  diligently  (staying  but  to  snatchy  a 
mouthful  of  food)  that  as  the  sun  westered,  my  boat 
was  well-nigh  finished.  Straightening  m}^  aching  back 
I  stood  to  examine  my  handiwork  and  though  of  neces- 
sity somewhat  rough  yet  was  it  strong  and  secure ;  and 
altogether  a  very  excellent  piece  of  work  I  thought  it, 
and  mightily  yearned  I  for  that  hour  when  I  should  feel 
this  little  vessel,  that  had  been  nought  but  a  shattered 
ruin,  once  more  riding  the  seas  in  triumph. 

But  now  and  all  at  once,  my  soaring  hopes  were 
dashed,  for  though  the  boat  might  be  seaworthy,  here 
she  lay,  high  and  dry,  a  good  twelve  yards  from  the 
tide. 

Now  seeing  I  might  not  bring  my  boat  to  the  sea, 
I  began  to  scheme  how  best  I  should  bring  the  sea  to 
her.  I  was  yet  pondering  this  matter,  chin  in  hand, 
when  a  shadow  fell  athwart  me  and  starting,  I  glanced 
up  to  find  this  wom.an  beside  me,  who,  heeding  me  no 
whit,  walks  about  and  about  the  boat,  viewing  my  work 
narrowly. 

"If  you  can  launch  her  she  should  sail  well  enough, 
going  large  and  none  so  ill  on  a  bowline,  by  her  looks. 
'Tis  true  seat-boat — yes.  Are  you  a  sailor — can  ye 
navigate,  ha?" 

"Not  I." 

"  'Tis  very  well,  for  I  am,  indeed,  and  can  set  ye 
course  by  dead  reckoning  an  need  be.  Your  work  is 
likely  enough,  though  had  you  butted  your  timbers  it 
had  been  better — so  and  so !"  And  in  this  I  saw  she 
/was  right  enough,  and  my  work  seemed  more  clumsy 
now  than  I  had  thought. 


How  I  Laboured  to  My  Salvation    25 

"I'm  no  shipwright,"  said  I. 

"And  here's  sure  proof  of  it !"  quoth  she. 

"Mayhap  'twill  serve  once  her  timbers  be  swelled." 

"Aye,  she  may  float,  Martino,  so  lon^  as  the  sea 
prove  kind  iand  the  wind  gentle;  aye,  she  should  carry 
us  both  over  to  the  Main  handsomely,  yes " 

"Never!"  quoth  I,  mighty  determined. 

"How  then — will  3'e  deny  me  yet,  fool.''  Wherefore 
would  3^e  leave  me  here,  curst  Englishman.'"' 

"Lest  you  goad  me  into  slaying  you  for  the  evil 
thing  you  are." 

"Wliat  evil  have  I  wrought  you?" 

"You  would  have  poisoned  me  but  yesterday '* 

"Yet  to-day  are  you  strong  and  hearty,  fool." 

And  indeed,  now  I  came  to  think  of  it,  I  felt  my- 
self as  hale  and  well  as  ever  in  all  my  life.  "Tush — 
a  fico !"  says  she  with  an  evil  gesture.  "  'Twas  but 
an  Indian  herb,  fool,  and  good  'gainst  colic  and  cal- 
enture.    Now  wherefore  will  ye  be  quit  o'  me.''" 

"Because  I  had  rather  die  solitary  than  live  in  your 
fellowship " 

"Dolt !  Clod !  Worm !"  cried  she  'twixt  gnashing 
teeth,  and  then  all  in  a  moment  she  was  gazing  down 
at  me  soft  and  gentle-eyed,  red  lips  up-curving  and 
smooth  cheek  dimpling  to  a  smile: 

"Ah,  Mar-tin,"  sighs  she  languorously,  "see  how 
you  do  vex  me !  And  I  am  foolish  to  suffer  such  as  you 
to  anger  me,  but  needs  must  I  vex  you  a  little  in  quit- 
tance, yes." 

At  this  I  did  but  shrug  my  shoulders  and  turned  to 
4tudy  again  the  problem — how  to  set  about  launching 
my  boat. 

"Art  a  something  skilful  carpenter,  eh,  Martino," 
said  she  in  a  while ;  "  'twas  you  made  the  table  and 
chairs  and  beds  in  the  caves  up  yonder,  eh,  Martino.''" 

"Aye." 

"And  these  the  tools  you  made  'em  with,  eh,  Mar- 


26      Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

tino?"  and  she  pointed  where  they  lay  beside  the  boat, 

"Nay,"  quoth  I,  speaking  on  impulse,  being  yet 
busied  with  my  problem,  "I  had  nought  but  my  hatchet 
then  and  chisels   of  iron." 

"Your  hatchet — this?"  she  questioned,  taking  it  up. 

"Aye!"  I  nodded.  "The  hatchet  was  the  first  tool 
I  found  after  we  were  cast  destitute  on  this  island." 

"Ah — ah — then  she  was  with  you  when  you  found 
it — the  woman  that  wore  this  gown  before  me,  eh, 
Martino  ?" 

"Aye — and  what  then?" 

"This !"  cried  she  and  wheeling  the  hatchet  strong- 
armed,  she  sent  it  spinning  far  out  to  sea  or  ever  I 
might  stay  her. 

Now,  beholding  the  last  of  this  good  hatchet  that 
had  oft  known  my  dear  lady's  touch,  that  had  beside 
been,  as  it  were,  a  weapon  to  our  defence  and  a  means 
to  our  comfort,  seeing  myself  (as  I  say)  now  bereft 
of  it  thus  wantonly,  I  sprang  to  my  feet,  uttering  a  cry 
of  mingled  grief  and  rage.  But  she,  skipping  nimbly 
out  of  reach,  caught  up  one  of  my  pistols  where  she 
had  hid  it  behind  a  rock  and  stood  regarding  me  with 
her  hateful  smile. 

"Ah,  ah !"  says  she,  mocking,  "do  I  then  vex  you  a 
little,  amigo  miof  So  is  it  very  well.  Ha,  scowl,  fool 
Martino,  scowl  and  grind  your  teeth;  'tis  joy  to  me 
and  shall  never  bring  back  your  little  axe." 

At  this,  seeing  grief  and  anger  alike  unavailing,  I 
sat  me  down  by  the  boat  and  sinking  my  head  in  my 
hands,  strove  to  settle  my  mind  to  this  problem  of 
launching;  but  this  I  might  by  no  means  do,  since  here 
was  this  devilish  creature  perched  upon  an  adjacent 
rock  to  plague  me  still. 

"How  now,  Martino?"  she  questioned.  "What 
troubleth  your  sluggish  brain  now?"  And  then,  as 
she  had  read  my  very  thought:  "Is't  your  boat — to 
bring  her  afloat  ?     Ah — bah !  'tis  simple  matter !    Here 


How  I  Laboured  to  My  Salvation    27 

she  lies  and  yonder  the  sea !  Well,  dig  you  a  pit  about 
the  boat  as  deep  as  may  be,  bank  the  sand  about  your 
pit  as  high  as  may  be.  Then  cut  you  a  channel  to 
high-water  mark  and  beyond,  so  with  the  first  tide, 
wind-driven,  the  sea  shall  fill  your  channel,  pour  into 
your  pit,  brimming  it  full  and  your  banks  being  higher 
than  your  boat  she  shall  swim  and  be  drawn  seaward 
on  the  backwash.  So,  here's  the  way  on't.  And  so 
must  3^ou  sweat  and  dig  and  labour,  and  I  joy  to 
watch — Ah,  yes,  for  you  shall  sweat,  dig  and  labour  in 
vain,  except  you  swear  me  I  shall  sail  with  you."  So 
saying,  she  drops  me  a  mocking  courtsey  and  away 
she  goes. 

She  gone  and  night  being  at  hand,  I  set  aside  two 
or  three  stout  spars  should  serve  me  as  masts,  yards, 
etc.,  together  with  rope  and  cordage  for  tackle  and 
therewith  two  pair  of  oars ;  which  done,  I  got  me.  to 
my  cave  and,  having  supped,  to  bed. 

Early  next  morning  I  set  myself  to  draw  a  circle 
about  my  boat  and  mark  out  a  channel  thence  to  the 
sea  (even  as  she  had  suggested)  since  I  could  hit  upon 
no  better  way.  This  done,  I  fell  to  with  spade  and 
mattock  but  found  this  a  matter  of  great  labour  since 
the  sand,  being  very  dry  and  loose  hereabouts,  was 
constantly  shifting  and  running  back  upon  me. 

And  presently,  as  I  strove  thus  painfully,  cometh 
my  tormentor  to  plague  me  anew  (albeit  the  morning 
was  so  young)  she  very  gay  and  debonnaire  in  her 
'broidered  gown. 

"Ha !"  said  she,  seating  herself  hard  by.  "The  sun 
is  new-risen,  yet  you  do  sweat  wofully,  the  which  I  do 
joy  to  see.  So-ho,  then,  labour  and  sweat,  my  pretty 
man :  it  shall  be  all  vain,  aha — ^vain  and  to  no  purpose." 
But  finding  I  heeded  her  no  more  than  buzzing  fly, 
she  changed  her  time,  viewing  me  tender-eyed  and  sigh- 
ing soft: 

"Am  I  not  better  as  a  woman,  eh,  Martino?"  asked 


28      Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

she,  spreading  out  her  petticoats.  "Aye,  to  be  sure 
your  eyes  do  tell  me  so,  scowl  and  mutter  as  you  will. 
See  now,  Martino,  I  have  lived  here  three  days  and  in 
all  this  woful  weary  time  hast  never  asked  my  name, 
which  is  strange,  unless  dost  know  it  already,  for  'tis 
famous  hereabouts  and  all  along  the  Main;  indeed  'tis 
none  so  wonderful  you  should  know  it '* 

"I  don't !"  said  I.     "Nor  wish  to !" 

"Then  I  will  tell  you — 'tis  Joan!"  Hereupon  1 
dropped  my  spade  and  she,  seeing  how  I  stared  upon 
her,  burst  into  a  peal  of  laughter.  "Ah,  ah!"  cried 
she.  "Here  is  pretty,  soft  name  and  should  fit  me  ^as 
well  as  another.  Why  must  you  stare  so  fool-like' 
here  is  no  witchcraft,  for  in  the  caves  yonder  'Joan' 
meeteth  me  at  every  turn;  'tis  carven  on  walls,  on 
chairs,  on  table,  together  with  'Damaris'  and  many 
woful,  lovesick  mottoes  beside." 

Now  I,  knowing  this  for  truth,  turned  my  back  and 
ground  my  teeth  in  impotent  anger,  whiles  this  woman 
mocked  me  with  her  laughter. 

"Damaris — Joan!"  said  she.  "At  first  methought 
these  two  women,  but  now  do  I  know  Joan  is  Damaris 
and  Damaris  Joan  and  you  a  poor,  lovelorn  fool.  But 
as  for  me — I  am  Joanna " 

Now  at  this  I  turned  and  looked  at  her. 

"Joanna?"  said  I,  wondering. 

"Ah,  you  have  heard  it — this  name,  before — yes?" 

"Aye,  in  a  song." 

"Oh,  verily !"  said  she  and  forthwith  began  singing 
in  her  deep,  rich  voice: 

"There*s  a  fine  Spanish  dame 
And  Joanna's  her  name 
Shall  follow  wherever  you  go——-** 

**Aha,  and  mark  this,  Martino: 

*1111  your  black  heart  shall  feel 
Your  own  cursed  steel  ^ 

Black  Bartlemy — Bartlemy,  ho!**  ^ 


How  I  Laboured  to  My  Salvation    29 


"But  this  was  my  mother " 

"Ha — she  that  stabbed  and  killed  the  pirate 
Bartlemy  ere  he  slew  her?  But  she  was  a  Spanish 
lady." 

"Nay,  she  was  English,  and  lieth  buried  hereabouts, 
'tis  said;  howbeit,  she  died  here  whiles  I  was  with  the 
Indians.  They  found  me,  very  small  and  helpless,  in 
the  ruins  of  a  burned  town  and  took  me  away  into  the 
mountains  and,  being  Indians,  used  me  kindly  and 
well.  Then  came  white  men,  twenty  and  two,  and, 
being  Christians,  slew  the  Indians  and  used  me  evilly 
and  were  cruel,  save  only  one;  twenty  and  two  they 
were  and  all  dead  long  ago,  each  and  every,  save  only 
one.  Aha,  Martino,  for  the  evil  men  have  made  me 
endure,  I  have  ever  been  excellent  well  avenged!  For 
I  am  Joanna  that  some  call  *Culebra'  and  some  *Gad- 
fly'  and  some  Tighting  Jo.'  And  indeed  there  be  few 
men  can  match  me  at  swordplay  and  as  for  musket 
and  pistol — watch  now,  Martino,  the  macaw  yonder!" 
She  pointed  to  a  bird  that  stood  preening  itself  on  a 
rock  at  no  little  distance  and,  catching  up  the  pistol, 
levelled  and  fired ;  and  in  place  of  the  bird  was  nought 
but  a  splash  of  blood  and  a  few  poor,  gaudy  feathers 
stirring  lazily  in  the  gentle  wind. 

"See,"  cried  she,  with  a  little,  soft  laugh,  "am  I  not 
a  goodly  camarado  for  any  brave  fellow,  yes?" 

"Truly,"  said  I,  turning  away,  "I  think  your 
breeches  do  become  you  best " 

"Liar!"  she  cried.  "You  know  I  am  handsomer 
thus !  Your  eyes  ha'  told  me  so  already.  And  look 
ye,  I  can  be  as  soft  and  tender,  as  meek  and  helpless  as 
any  puling  woman  of  'em  all,  when  I  will.  And  if  I 
hate  fiercely,  so  is  my  love — ha,  d'ye  blench,  fool, 
d'ye  shrink;  you  thing  shaped  like  a  man,  must  ye 
cringe  at  the  word  'love'?" 

"Aye!"  said  I,  over  my  shoulder.  "On  your  lips 
'tis  desecration !" 


30      Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

"Desecration — desecration?"  quoth  she,  staring  on 
me  great-eyed  and  biting  at  her  scarlet  nether  lip. 
"Ha,  dare  ye  say  it,  dog?"  And  crying  thus,  she 
hurled  the  pistol  at  me  with  aim  so  true  that  I  stag- 
gered and  came  nigh  falling.  Stung  by  the  blow  I 
turned  on  her  in  a  fury,  but  she  leapt  to  her  feet  and 
showed  me  my  own  knife  glittering  in  her  fist. 

"Ah,  bah — back  to  your  labour,  slave !"  she  mocked. 

"Have  done,  woman!"  I  cried.  "Have  done,  or  by 
the  living  God,  you  will  goad  me  into  slaying  you 
yet " 

"Tush!"  said  she,  "I  am  used  to  outfacing  men, 
but  you — ^ha,  you  should  be  fed  on  pap  and  suckets, 
you  that  are  no  man!  'Tis  small  wonder  you  lost 
your  Joan — Damaris ;  'tis  no  wonder  she  fled  awa}' 
and  left  you " 

Now  at  this  (and  nothing  heeding  her  knife)  I 
sprang  at  her  and  she,  letting  fall  the  knife,  leapt 
towards  me ;  and  then  I  had  her,  felt  her  all  soft  and 
palpitant  in  my  furious  grip,  heard  a  quivering  sigh, 
saw  her  head  sway  back  across  my  arm  and  she  droop- 
ing in  my  embrace,  helpless  and  a-swoon.  And  hold- 
ing her  thus  'prisoned  and  crushed  against  me,  I  could 
not  but  be  conscious  of  all  the  tender,  languorous 
beauty  of  her  ere  I  hasted  to  lay  her  upon  the  sand. 
My  arms  were  yet  about  her  (and  I  upon  my  knees) 
when  her  bosom  heaved  to  sudden,  tremulous  sigh  and 
opening  her  eye>>,  she  smiled  up  at  me. 

"Ah,  Martino,"  sighed  she  softly,  "do  not  these  pet- 
ticoats become  me  vastly  well,  yes?"  And  reaching 
up,  she  set  her  arms  about  me.  "Am  I  not  better  than 
dream-woman,  I  that  men  have  died  for — I,  Joanna?" 

Now  hereupon  I  shivered  and  loosing  her  hold  rose 
to  my  feet  and  stood  with  head  averted  that  I  might 
not  behold  her.  Presently  she  arose  also  and  coming 
where  lay  the  knife,  took  it  up  and  stood  turning  it 
this  way  and  that. 


How  I  Laboured  to  My  Salvation    31 

*'Mar-tin,"  said  she  in  her  soft,  dreamy  speech, 
"you  are  mightily  strong  and — mightily  gentle,  and  I 
do  think  we  shall  make  a  man  of  you  yet !" 

So  saying,  she  turned  and  went  away,  the  knife 
glittering  in  her  hand.  As  for  me  I  cast  myself  down 
and  with  no  thought  or  will  to  labour  now,  for  it 
seemed  that  my  strength  was  gone  from  me. 


CHAKTER  V 

Teliceth  How  All  My  Travail  Came  to  Nought 

That  night,  the  moon  being  at  the  full  and  I  very 
wakeful,  I  lay  harassed  of  a  thousand  fretting  thoughts, 
and  each  and  every  of  this  woman  Joanna;  and  turn- 
ing on  my  sleepless  couch  I  cursed  that  hour  the  which 
had  set  her  in  my  company. 

Yet,  even  so,  I  must  needs  bethink  me  of  all  the 
supple  warmth  of  her  as  she  lay  in  my  arms,  of  the 
velvety  touch  of  her  cheek  that  had  by  chance  brushed 
my  hand.  Hereupon  I  would  strive  to  turn  my 
thoughts  upon  the  labours  of  to-morrow  only  to  find 
myself  recalling  the  sound  of  her  voice,  now  deep  and 
soft  and  infinite  sweet,  now  harsh  and  shrill  and  hate- 
fully shrewish;  or  her  golden-brown  eyes,  thick-lashed 
and  marvellous  quick  in  their  changes  from  sleepy 
languor  to  flaming  malevolence. 

Thus  lay  I,  haunted  of  her  memory  and  all  the  sud- 
den, bewildering  changes  of  her  moods  until  at  last 
I  started  up,  and  coming  to  the  entrance  of  my  cave, 
saw  her  standing  without  and  the  moon  bright  on  her 
face. 

"Art  wakeful  too,  Martino?"  asked  she  softly. 
"  'Tis  the  moon  belike,  or  the  heat  of  the  night."  Here 
she  came  a  slow  pace  nearer;  and  her  eyes  were  sweet 
and  languorous  and  on  her  vivid  mouth  a  smile  in- 
finite alluring.  Slowly  she  drew  near,  thralling  me  as 
it  were  with  the  wonder  of  her  look  that  I  had  neither 
power  nor  will  to  move  or  speak.     Confident  of  her- 


How  My  Travail  Came  to  Nought    33' 

self  and  assured  in  her  beauty  she  reached  out  her 
hands  to  me,  her  long  lashes  swept  down,  veiling  her 
eyes ;  but,  even  then,  I  had  seen  their  flash  of  triumph, 
and  in  that  moment,  bursting  the  spell  that  bound 
me,  I  turned  from  her. 

"Go — leave  me!"  said  I,  finding  my  voice  at  last. 
"Here  is  no  place  for  youl"  And  I  stood  thereafter 
with  head  averted,  dreading  her  sighs  and  tears;  in- 
stead (and  to  my  unutterable  relief)  she  brake  out 
into  a  stonn  of  sea-oaths,  "beslavering  me  with  vile 
abuse  and  bitter  curses.  Now,  hearkening  to  this  lewd 
tirade,  I  marv^elled  I  should  ever  have  feared  and 
trembled  because  of  the  womanhood  of  creature  sa 
coarse  and  unsexed.  Thus  she  continued  alternately 
mocking  at  and  reviling  me  until  she  must  needs  pause 
for  lack  of  breath;  then  I  turned  to  look  at  her  and 
stood  amazed  to  behold  that  passionate  head  bowed 
upon  her  hands. 

"Aye,  I  weep,"  she  sobbed.  "I  weep  because  I  am 
woman,  after  all,  but  in  my  heart  I  hate  you  and  with 
my  soul  I  despise  you,  for  you  are  but  a  mock  man, 
— the  blood  in  your  veins  skim  milk!  Ah,  by  God, 
there  is  more  of  vigorous  life  in  my  little  finger  than 
in  all  your  great,  heavy,  clod-like  carcase.  Oh, 
shame !"  Here  she  lifted  her  head  to  scowl  on  me  and 
I,  not  enduring  her  look,  glanced  otherwhere.  "Ha 
— rot  me!"  cried  she,  wagging  scornful  finger.  "Rot 
me  but  you  are  afraid  of  me — afraid,  yes!" 

"True !"  said  I.  "So  will  I  win  free  of  you  so  soon 
as  I  may " 

"Free  of  me?"  cried  she,  and  throwing  herself  oa 
the  sands,  sat  crouched  there,  her  head  upon  her  knees 
and  sobbing  miserably.  "So  you  will  abandon  me 
then.^"  said  she  at  last. 

"Aye." 

"Even  though  I — vow  myself  your  slave.?" 

"I  want  no  slave." 


34      Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

"Even  though  I  beseech  you  on  my  knees?" 

"  'Twere  vain,  I  sail  hence  alone." 

"You  were  wiser  to  seek  my  love  than  my  hate." 

"But  I  was  ever  a  fool." 

"Aye,  verily !"  she  cried  passionately.  "So  do  you 
yearn  ever  for  your  light-o'-love,  for  your  vanished 
Joan — your  Damaris  that  left  you " 

"Now  I  pray  you  go !"  said  I. 

"I  wonder,"  sighed  she,  never  stirring,  "I  wonder 
why  I  do  not  kill  you?  I  hate  you — despise  you  and 
yet " 

Slowly  she  got  to  her  feet  and  moved  away  with 
dragging*  step  but  paused  anon  and  spake  again  with 
head  a-droop: 

"Living  or  dead,  ^''ou  shall  not  leave  the  island  except 
I  go  with  you !"  Then  she  went  her  way  and  some- 
thing in  her  attitude  methought  infinitely  desolate. 

Left  alone,  I  stood  awhile  in  gloomy  thought,  but 
rousing  presently,  I  betook  me  into  my  cave,  and  lying 
down,  fell  at  last  to  uneasy  slumber.  But  waking 
suddenly,  I  started  up  on  elbow  full  of  an  indefinable 
fear,  and  glancing  without  the  cave,  I  saw  a  strange 
thing,  for  sand  and  rock  and  bush-girt  cliff  had  on 
an  unfamiliar  aspect,  the  which  I  was  wholly  unable 
to  account  for;  rocks  and  trees  and  flowering  vines 
shone  throbbing  upon  my  vision  with  a  palpitant  glow 
that  came  and  went,  the  like  of  which  I  had  never 
seen  before. 

Then,  all  at  once,  I  was  up  and  running  along 
Skeleton  Cove,  filled  with  a  dreadful  apprehension, 
and  coming  out  upon  Deliverance  Beach,  stood  quak- 
ing like  one  smitten  with  a  palsy;  for  there,  lapped 
about  in  writhing  flame  and  crackling  sparks,  was  all 
that  remained  of  my  boat,  and  crouched  upon  the 
sands,  watching  me  by  the  light  of  this  fire,  was  she 
who  called  herself  Joanna. 

And  now,  perceiving  all  the  wanton  cruelty  of  this 


How  My  Travail  Came  to  Nought    35 

thing,  a  cold  and  merciless  rage  took  me  and  staring 
on  this  woman  as  she  stared  on  me,  I  began  to  creep 
towards  her. 

I  warned  you,  fool,  I  warned  you !"  cried  she,  never 
moving.  "  'Tis  a  brave  fire  I've  made  and  bums  well. 
And  now  you  shall  kill  me  an  you  will — but  your  boat 
is  lost  to  you  for  ever,  and  so  is — your  Damaris !" 

Now  at  sound  of  this  loved  name  I  stopped  and  stood 
a  great  while  staring  at  the  fire,  then  suddenly  I  cast 
myself  on  my  knees,  and  lifting  up  my  eyes  to  the 
stars  already  paling  to  dawn,  I  prayed  God  to  keep 
me  from  the  sin  of  murder. 

When  at  last  I  rose  to  my  feet,  Joanna  was  gone. 

The  sun  was  high-risen  when  I  came  again,  slow 
and  heavy-footed,  to  behold  what  the  fire  had  left  of 
my  boat ;  a  heap  of  ashes,  a  few  fragments  of  charred 
timber.  And  this  the  sorry  end  of  all  my  fond  hopes, 
my  vain  schemes,  my  sweat  and  labour. 

And  as  I  gazed,  in  place  of  my  raging  fury  of  last 
night  was  a  hopeless  despondency  and  a  great  bitter- 
ness against  that  perverse  fate  that  seemed  to  mock 
my  every  endeavour. 

As  I  stood  thus  deject  and  bitterly  cast  down,  I 
heard  the  step  of  this  woman  Joanna  and  presently 
she  cometh  beside  me. 

"You  will  be  hating  me  for  this,  hating  me — yes.?" 
she  questioned;  then,  finding  me  all  regardless  of  her, 
she  plucked  me  by  the  sleeve.  "Ah — and  will  you  not 
speak  to  me?"  cried  she.  Turning  from  her,  I  began 
to  pace  aimlessly  along  beside  the  lagoon  but  she, 
overtaking,  halted  suddenly  in  my  path.  "Your  boat 
would  have  leaked  and  swamped  with  you,  Martino !" 
said  she,  but  heeding  her  no  whit  I  turned  and  plodded 
back  again,  and  she  ever  beside  me.  "I  tell  you  the 
cursed  thing  would  ha'  gone  to  pieces  at  the  first  gust 
of  wind !"  she  cried.  But  I  paced  on  with  neither  word 
nor  look  until,  finding  me  thus  blind  and  d«af  to  her, 


36      Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

she  cursed  me  bitterly  and  so  left  me  alone  and  I,  fol- 
lowing a  haphazard  course,  presently  found  myself  in 
a  grove  of  palmetto  trees  and  sat  me  down  in  this 
pleasant  shade  where  I  might  behold  the  sea,  that 
boundless,  that  impassable  barrier.  But  in  a  while, 
espying  the  woman  coming  thitherwards,  I  rose  and 
tramped  on  again  with  no  thought  but  to  save  myself 
from  her  companionship. 

All  the  morning  then  I  rambled  aimlessly  to  and 
fro,  keeping  ever  amid  the  woods  and  thickets,  staying 
my  hunger  with  such  fruit  as  I  fell  in  with,  as  grapes 
and  plantains;  or  sitting  listlessly,  my  hands  idle  be- 
fore me,  I  stared  out  across  these  empty,  sun-smitten 
waters,  until,  dazzled  by  their  glare,  I  would  rise  and 
wander  on  again,  my  mind  ever  and  always  troubled 
of  a  great  perplexity,  namely:  How  might  I  (having 
regard  to  the  devilish  nature  of  this  woman  Joanna) 
keep  myself  from  slaying  her  in  some  fit  of  madness, 
thereby  staining  my  soul  with  her  murder. 

So  came  I  at  last  to  my  habitation  in  Skeleton 
Cove  and  chancing  to  espy  my  great  powderhom 
where  it  hung,  I  reached  it  down  and  going  without  the 
cave,  scattered  its  contents  broadcast,  this  being  all 
the  powder  I  had  brought  hither. 

It  being  now  late  noon  and  very  hot,  I  cast  myself 
down  in  the  shade  of  a  rock,  and  lying  there,  I  pres- 
ently came  to  the  following  resolution,  viz:  To  shun 
the  woman  Joanna's  company  henceforth  as  well  as  I 
might ;  moreover  (  and  let  her  haunt  me  how  she  wouldj^ 
to  heed  her  neither  by  word  or  look,  bearing  all  her 
scorns  and  revilings  patiently,  making  no  answer,  and 
enduring  all  her  tyranny  to  the  uttermost.  All  of 
which  fine  conceits  were  but  the  most  arrant  folly  and 
quickly  brought  to  nothing,  as  you  shall  hear.  For 
even  now  as  I  sat  with  these  high-flown  notions  buzz- 
ing in  my  head,  I  started  to  her  sudden  call : 

"Martino — Martino !" 


How  My  Travail  Came  to  Nought    37 

Glancing  up,  I  beheld  her  poised  upon  the  rocks 
above  me  and  a  noose  of  small  cord  in  her  hand.  As 
I  watched,  she  began  to  whirl  this  around  her  head, 
fast  and  faster,  then,  uttering  a  shrill,  strange  cry, 
she  let  fly  the  noose  the  which,  leaping  through  the 
air,  took  me  suddenly  about  the  throat  and  she,  pull- 
ing on  it,  had  me  half-strangled  all  in  a  moment.  Then 
as,  choking,  I  loosed  this  devilish  noose  from  me  (and 
or  ever  I  could  rise)  she  came  running  and  casting 
herself  down  before  me,  clasped  my  feet  and  laid  her 
head  upon  them. 

"Martino !"  she  cried,  "Oh  man,  beat  me  an  you  will, 
trample  on  me,  kill  me;  only  heed  me — ^heed  me  a 
Httle!" 

Now  seeing  her  thus  miserably  abject  and  humbled, 
I  grew  abashed  also  and  fain  would  have  loosed  me 
from  her  clasp  but  she  held  me  only  the  faster ;  and 
thus,  my  hand  coming  upon  her  head,  she  caught  that 
hand  and  kissed  it  passionately,  wetting  it  with  her 
tears. 

"Oh,  Martino,"  said  she,  wofully  a-sobbing,  "I  do 
know  at  last  wherefore — I  may  not  kill  you.  'Tis 
because  I  love  you.  I  was  fool  not  to  guess  it  ere  this, 
but — I  have  never  loved  man  ere  now.  Aye,  I  love 
you — I,  Joanna,  that  never  loved  before,  do  love  you, 
Martino " 

"What  of  vour  manv  lovers?" 

"I  loved  no  one  of  them  all.  'Tis  you  ha'  learned 
me " 

"Nay,  this  is  no  love " 

"Aye,  but  it  is — in  very  truth.  Think  you  I  do 
not  know  it?  I  cannot  sleep,  I  cannot  eat — except 
you  love  me  I  must  die,  yes.  Ah,  Martino,  be  merci- 
ful !"  she  pleaded.  "For  thee  I  will  be  all  woman 
henceforth,  soft  and  tender  and  very  gentle — thine  al- 
ways !     Oh,  be  merciful '* 

"No,"  I   cried,   "not   this !     Be   rather   your  other 


38      Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

self,  curse  me,  revile  me,  fetch  the  sword  and  fight  with 


me- 


"Fight  thee — ah,  no,  no!  The  time  for  this  is 
passed  away.  And  if  I  did  grieve  thee  'twas  but  that 
I  might  cherish  and  comfort  thee — for  thou  art  mine 
and  I  thine  henceforth — to  death  and  beyond !  Look, 
Martino!      See  how  I  do  love  thee!" 

And  now  her  arms  were  about  me,  soft  and  strong, 
and  beholding  all  the  pleading  beauty  of  her,  the  ten- 
del*  allure  of  her  eyes,  the  quiver  of  her  scarlet  mouth 
and  all  her  compelling  loveliness,  I  stooped  to  her  em- 
brace ;  but  even  so,  chancing  to  lift  my  gaze  seaward, 
I  broke  the  clasp  of  these  twining  arms  and  rose  sud- 
denly to  my  feet.  For  there,  her  rag  of  sail  spread 
to  the  light-breathing  air,  was  a  boat  standing  in  for 
the  island. 


CHAPTER  VI 

How  I  SuccouEED  One  Don  Federigo,  a  Gentleman 

OF  Spain 

I  WAS  out  upon  the  reef,  waving  my  arms  like  any 
madman  and  shouting  to  the  vague  figure  huddled  in 
the  stem  sheets.  As  the  boat  drew  nearer,  I  discov- 
ered this  figure  to  be  a  man  in  Spanish  half-armour, 
and  the  head  of  this  man  was  bowed  meekly  upon  steel- 
clad  breast  like  one  overcome  with  great  weariness. 
But  presently  as  I  watched  he  looked  up,  like  one  awak- 
ing from  sleep,  and  gestured  feebly  with  his  arm,  whiles 
I,  beholding  here  the  means  to  my  deliverance,  babbled 
prayers  of  thankfulness  to  God. 

After  some  while,  the  boat  being  within  hail,  I  began 
to  call  out  to  this  solitary  voyager  (for  companion 
had  he  none,  it  seemed)  how  he  must  steer  to  avoid  the 
rocks  and  shoals.  At  last,  the  boat  being  come  near 
enough  and  the  sea  very  smooth,  I  waded  out  and, 
watching  my  chance,  clambered  aboard  over  the  bows 
and  came,  all  dripping,  eager  to  welcome  this  heaven- 
sent stranger  and  thus  beheld  the  boat  very  foul  of 
blood  and  him  pale  and  hollow-cheeked,  his  eyes  dim 
and  sunken ;  moreover  his  rich  armour  was  battered 
and  dinted,  whiles  about  one  leg  was  knotted  a  bloody 
scarf. 

"Senor,"  said  I,  in  my  best  Spanish,  "a  lonely  man 
giveth  you  right  hearty  greeting!" 

"I  thank  you,  sir,"  he  answered  and  in  very  ex- 
cellent English,  "though  I  do  much  fear  j^ou  shall  abide 


40      Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

solitary,  for  as  I  do  think  I  am  a-dying.  Could  you 
— bring  me — water " 

The  words  ended  in  a  sigh  and  his  head  drooped  so 
that  I  feared  he  was  already  gone.  But,  finding  he 
yet  breathed,  I  made  haste  to  lower  the  sail  and, 
shipping  oars,  paddled  towards  that  opening  in 
the  reef  that  gave  upon  the  lagoon.  Being  opposite 
this  narrow  channel  I  felt  the  boat  caught  by  some  tide 
and  current  and  swept  forward  ever  more  rapidly,  in- 
somuch that  I  unshipped  the  oars  and  hasting  into 
the  bow,  caught  up  a  stout  spar  wherewith  to  fend 
us  off  from  the  rocks.  Yet  more  than  once,  despite 
all  my  exertions,  we  came  near  striking  ere,  having 
passed  through  this  perilous  gut,  we  floated  into  the 
placid  waters  of  the  lagoon  beyond. 

Very  soon  I  had  beached  the  boat  as  securely  as  I 
might  on  that  spit  of  sand  opposite  Skeleton  Cove, 
and  finding  the  Spaniard  yet  a-swoon  I  lifted  him, 
albeit  with  much  ado,  and  setting  him  across  my  shi3ul- 
der,  bore  him  thus  into  the  cool  shade  of  the  cave. 
There  I  laid  him  down  beside  the  little  rill  to  bathe  his 
head  and  wrists  with  the  sweet  water  and  moisten  his 
parched  lips.  At  this  he  revived  somewhat  and,  lift- 
ing his  head,  eagerly  drank  so  much  as  I  would  allow, 
his  sunken  eyes  uplift  to  mine  in  an  ecstasy. 

^'Young  sir,"  said  he  in  stronger  voice,  "for  your 
kind  charity  and  this  good  water  may  the  Saints  re- 
quite thee.  'Tis  three  nights  and  two  days  since  I 
drank " 

A  shadow  fell  betwixt  us  and  looking  up  I  beheld 
Joanna.  Now  in  one  hand  she  grasped  the  Spaniard's 
sword  she  had  stolen  out  of  his  boat  and  her  other 
hand  was  hid  behind  her,  wherefore  I  watched  her  nar- 
rowly, as  she  stood  gazing  down  at  this  wounded  man; 
and  at  first  she  scowled  at  him,  but  slowly  her  look 
changed  and  I  saw  her  vivid  lips  curl  in  her  baleful 
smile. 


How  I  Succoured  Don  Federigo^    41 

"Oh,"  said  she  very  softly,  "Oh,  marvel  of  mar- 
vels! Oh,  wonder  of  wonders,  even  and  in  very  truth 
it  is  Don  Federigo  de  Rosalva  y  Maldonada,  wafted 
hither  by  wind  and  tide  to  Joanna  and  judgment.  Oh, 
most  wonderful!" 

Now  hereupon  this  poor  wounded  wretch  lifted  him- 
self to  peer  up  into  her  smiling  face  with  hanging  jaw, 
like  one  amazed  beyond  all  speech,  whiles  she,  slim 
and  shapely  in  her  'broidered  gown,  nodded  her  hand- 
some head.  "Verily,"  quoth  she,  "  'tis  the  hanging, 
bloody  governor  of  Nombre  de  Dios  come  to  Justice! 
I  pray  you,  Senor,  how  many  of  our  company  ha'  you 
strung  aloft  since  last  we  met?" 

Here,  though  with  much  painful  ado,  the  Don  got 
to  his  feet  and  made  her  a  prodigious  fine  bow. 

"The  Senorita  Joanna  honours  me  by  her  notice," 
said  he.  "I  should  have  doubtless  known  her  at  once 
but  for  her  change  of  habit.  And  I  am  happy  to  in- 
form the  Senorita  I  have  been  so  fortunate  as  to  take 
and  hang  no  less  than  five  and  twenty  of  her  pirate 
fellowship  since  last  I  had  the  gratification  of  meet- 
ing her." 

"Ha,  you  lie!"  cried  she  passionately.      "You  lie!" 

"They  swing  in  their  chains  along  the  mole  outside 
Nombre  de  Dios  to  witness  for  my  truth,  Senorita. 
And  now,"  said  he,  propping  himself  against  the  rock 
behind  him,  "it  is  my  turn  to  die,  as  I  tliink?  Well, 
strike,  lady — here,  above  my  gorget " 

"Die  then!"  cried  she  and  whipped  a  pistol  from 
behind  her,  but  as  she  levelled  I  struck  up  the  weapon 
and  it  exploded  harmless  in  the  air.  Uttering  a  scream 
of  bitter  rage,  she  thrust  with  the  sword,  but  I  put 
up  the  stroke  (thereby  taking  a  gash  in  the  arm) 
and  gripping  the  rapier  by  the  guards  I  twisted  it 
from  her  hold.  And  now  she  turned  on  me  in  a  very 
frenzy : 

"Kill  me  then!"  she  panted,  striving  to  impale  her- 


42      Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

self  on  the  sword  in  my  hand.  "If  this  man  is  to  come 
betwixt  us  now,  kill  me  in  mercy  and  free  me  from 

this  hateful  woman's  flesh "     But  here,  spying  my 

arm  bloody,  she  forgot  her  anger  all  in  a  moment. 
"Are  ye  hurt?"  said  she.  "Are  ye  hurt  and  all  to 
save  this  miserable  fool!"  And  suddenly  (or  ever  I 
might  prevent)  she  caught  my  arm,  kissing  the  wound, 
heedless  of  the  blood  that  bedabbled  her  cheek  in  hor- 
rid fashion. 

"Oh,  Martino,"  said  she,  leaning  'gainst  a  rock  when 
at  last  I  broke  from  her,  "you  are  mine  now  and  al- 
ways, as  you  were  in  other  times  long  since  forgot. 
In  those  days  your  blood  was  on  my  lips,  I  mind,  and 
your  kisses  also  ere  you  died.  Mine  you  are  to  death, 
aye,  and  through  death  to  life  again — mine.  And  to- 
day is  to-day  and  death  not  for  you  or  me — yet 
awhile !" 

When  she  was  gone  I  turned  to  find  this  wounded 
man  upon  his  knees,  his  head  bowed  above  a  little  gold 
crucifix  between  his  hands. 

"Sir,  what  would  you.?"  I  questioned,  struck  by  his 
expression,  when  at  last  he  looked  up. 

"I  make  my  peace  with  God,  Seiior,  since  I  am  soon 
to  die " 

"Nay,  sir,  I  do  trust  your  hardships  are  ended " 

"Shall  be,  Senor,  to-day,  to-morrow,  the  day  after.^^" 
said  he,  smiling  faintly  and  shrugging  his  shoulders. 
"A  sudden  shot,  steel  i'  the  back — 'tis  better  than  death 
by  famine  in  an  open  boat.  You,  Senor,  have  saved 
me  alive  yet  a  little,  doubtless  for  your  own  ends, 
but  my  death  walketh  yonder  as  I  know,  death  in 
form  shapely  and  fair-seeming,  yet  sure  and  unpity- 
ing,  none  the  less." 

"Ha,  d'ye  mean  yon  woman?"  I  questioned. 

"The  Senorita  Joanna — verily,  Senor." 

"Never  think  it !"  quoth  I.  "'Tis  wild,  fierce  crea- 
ture, yet  is  she  but  a  woman  and  young- 


j> 


How  I  Succoured  Don  Federigo    43 

Now  hereupon  this  wounded  man  lifted  weary  head 
to  stare  on  me,  his  eyes  very  bright  and  keen. 

"Senor,"  says  he,  "either  you  do  mock  me,  or  you 
nothing  know  this  woman.  But  I  do  know  her  well 
and  too  well.  Senor,  I  have  warred  with  and  been 
prisoner  to  you  English,  I  have  fought  Indians,  I  have 
campaigned  again  buccaneers  and  pirates  these  many 
years,  but  never  have  I  encountered  foe  so  desperate, 
so  bold  and  cunning  as  this  Senorita  Joanna.  She  is 
the  very  soul  of  evil ;  the  goddess  of  every  pirate  rogue 
in  the  Indies ;  'tis  she  is  their  genius,  their  inspiration, 
her  word  their  law.  'Tis  she  is  ever  foremost  in  their 
most  desperate  ploys,  first  in  attack,  last  in  retreat, 
fearless  always — I  have  known  her  turn  rout  into 
victory.  But  two  short  months  ago  she  vowed  my  de- 
struction, and  I  with  my  thousands  at  command  be- 
sides divers  ships  well  armed  and  manned;  to-day  I 
am  a  woful  fugitive,  broken  in  fortune,  fleeing  for 
my  life,  and,  Senor,  Fate  has  brought  me,  through 
shipwreck  and  famine  all  these  weary  miles,  into  the 
grasp  of  her  slender,  cruel  hands.  Thus  and  thus  do 
I  know  myself  for  dead  man  and  shall  die,  howsoever 
I  must,  as  becometh  me." 

His  keen  eyes  lost  their  fire,  his  head  drooped,  and 
looking  down  on  him  as  he  lay  huddled  against  the 
rock,  I  did  not  doubt  but  that  much  of  this  was  no 
more  than  the  raving  of  his  disordered  fancy. 

So  I  set  my  arm  about  this  poor  gentleman  and 
brought  him  into  my  habitation,  where  I  loosed  off 
his  chafing  armour  and  set  myself  to  feed  and  cherish 
him,  bathing  the  hurt  in  his  leg,  the  which  I  found 
very  angry  and  inflamed.  This  done  I  bade  him  be 
of  good  comfort  and  yield  himself  to  slumber.  But 
this  he  could  no  way  accomplish,  being  restless  and 
fevered  and  his  mind  harping  continually  on  the  strange 
fate  had  set  him  thus  in  Joanna's  power  and  the  sure 
belief  that  he  must  die,  soon  or  late,  at  her  hands. 


44      Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

"For  look  now,  Seiior,"  said  he,  "and  observe  my 
strange  destiny.     Scarce  two  months  since  I  set  out 
in  a  well-found  galleon,  I  and  three  hundred  chosen 
men,   to  hunt  down   and  destroy  this  very  woman — 
her  and  her  evil  company.     One  of  their  ships  we  fell 
in  with,  which  ship,  after  long  and  sharp  debate,  we 
sunk.     But  it  coming  on  to  blow  and  our  own  vessels 
being  much  shattered  by  their  shot,  we  sprung  a  leak, 
the  which  gaining  on  us,  we  were  forced  to  take  to  our 
boats ;  but  the  wind  increased  and  we  were  soon  scat- 
tered.    On  the  third  day,  having  endured  divers  per- 
ils, we  made  the  land,  I  with  Pedro  Valdez  my  chief 
captain  and  ten  others  and,  being  short  of  water,  they 
went  ashore  one  and  all,  leaving  me  wounded  in  the 
boat.     And  I  lying  there  was  suddenly  aware  of  great 
uproar  within  the  thickets  ashore,  and  thereafter  the 
screams   and   cries   of  my   companions   as   they   died. 
Then   cometh  Pedro  Valdez   running,   crying  out  the 
Indians  were  on  us,  that  all  was  lost  and  himself  sore 
wounded.     Nevertheless  he  contrived  to  thrust  oiF  the 
boat  and  I  to  aid  him  aboard.     That  night  he  died 
and  the  wind  drove  me  whither  it  would;  wherefore, 
having  committed  Pedro  Valdez  his  body  to  the  deep, 
I  resigned  myself  to  the  will  of  God.     And  God  hath 
brought  me  hither,  Senor,  and  set  me  in  the  power  of 
the  Senorita  Joanna  that  is  my  bitter  foe;  so  am  I 
like  to  die  sudden  and  soon.     But,  Senor,  for  your 
kindness  to  me,  pray  receive  a  broken  man's  gratitude 
and  dying  blessing.     Sir,  I  am  ever  a  Maldonada  of 
Castile  and  we  do  never  forget!"     There  he  reached 
out  to  grasp  my  hand.     "Thus,  Senor,  should  this  be 
my  last  night  of  life,  the  which  is  very  like,  know  that 
my  gratitude  is  of  the  nature  that  dieth  not." 

"Sir,"  said  I,  his  hand  in  mine  and  the  night  deep- 
ening about  us,  "I  am  a  very  solitary  man  and  you 
came  into  my  life  like  a  very  angel  of  God  (an  there 
be  such)  when  I  stood  in  direst  need,  for  I  was  sick 


How  I  Succoured  Don  Federigo    45 

of  my  loneliness  and  in  my  hunger  for  companionship 
very  nigh  to  great  and  shameful  folly.  Mayhap, 
whiles  you  grow  back  to  strength  and  health,  I  will 
teU  you  my  story,  but  this  night  you  shall  sleep  safe 
— so  rest  you  fi^cure." 


CHAPTER  VII 

I  Am  Determined  on  My  Vengeance,  and  My  Rea- 
sons Therefor 

I  FOUND  this  Spanish  gentleman  very  patient  in  his 
sickness  and  ever  of  a  grave  and  chivalrous  courtesy, 
insomuch  that  as  our  fellowship  lengthened  so  grew 
my  regard  for  him.  He  was,  beside,  a  man  of  deep 
learning  and  excellent  judgment  and  his  conversation 
and  conduct  a  growing  delight  to  me. 

And  indeed  to  such  poor  wretch  as  I  that  had  been 
forced  by  my  bitter  wrongs  to  company  with  all  man- 
ner of  rogues  and  fellows  of  the  baser  sort,  this  Don 
Federigo  (and  all  unknowing)  served  but  to  show  me 
how  very  far  I  had  sunk  from  what  I  might  have  been. 
And  knowing  myself  thus  degenerate  I  grieved  might- 
ily therefore  and  determined  henceforth  to  meet  For- 
tune's buffets  more  as  became  my  condition,  with  a 
steadfast  and  patient  serenity,  even  as  this  gentle- 
man of  Spain. 

It  was  at  this  time  he  recounted,  in  his  courtly  Eng- 
lish, something  of  the  woes  he  and  his  had  suffered  these 
many  years  at  the  hands  of  these  roving  adventurers, 
these  buccaneers  and  pirates  whose  names  were  a  ter- 
ror all  along  the  Main.  He  told  of  the  horrid  cruel- 
ties of  LoUonois,  of  the  bloody  Montbars  called  the 
"Exterminator,"  of  the  cold,  merciless  ferocity  of 
Black  Bartlemy  and  of  such  lesser  rouges  as  Morgan, 
Tressady,  Belvedere  and  others  of  whom  I  had  never 
heard. 


1  Am  Determined  on  My  Vengeance    47 

"There  was  my  son,  young  sir,"  said  he  in  his  calm, 
dispassionate  voice,  "scarce  eighteen  turned,  and  my 
daughter — both  taken  by  this  pirate  Belvedere  when 
he  captured  the  Margarita  carrack  scarce  three  years 
since.  My  son  they  tortured  to  death  because  he  was 
my  son,  and  my  daughter,  my  sweet  Dolores — well, 
she  is  dead  also,  I  pray  the  Mother  of  Mercies.  Truly 
I  have  suffered  very  much,  yet  there  be  others,  alas ! 
I  might  tell  you  of  our  goodly  towns  burned  or  held 
to  extortionate  ransom,  of  our  women  ravished,  our 
children  butchered,  our  men  tormented,  our  defence- 
less merchant  ships  destroyed  and  their  crews  with 
them,  but  my  list  is  long,  young  sir,  and  would  out- 
last your  kind  patience." 

"And  what  o'  vengeance?"  I  demanded,  marvelling 
at  the  calm  serenity  of  his  look. 

"Vengeance,  young  sir?  Nay,  surely,  'tis  an  empty 
thing.  For  may  vengeance  bring  back  the  beloved 
dead?  Can  it  rebuild  our  desolate  towns,  or  cure  any 
of  a  broken  heart?" 

"Yet  you  hang  these  same  rogues  ?" 

"Trul}',  Seiior,  as  speedily  as  may  be,  as  I  would      ' 
crush  a  snake.     Yet  who  would  seek  vengeance  on  a 
worm?" 

"Yet  do  I  seek  vengeance !"  cried  I,  upstarting  to  my 
feet.  "Vengeance  for  my  wasted  years,  vengeance  on 
him  hath  been  the  ruin  of  my  house,  on  him  that, 
forcing  me  to  endure  anguish  of  mind  and  shame  of 
body,  hath  made  of  me  the  poor,  outcast  wretch  I 
am.     Ha — 'tis  vengeance  I  do  live  for!" 

"Then  do  you  live  to  a  vain  end,  young  sir !  For 
vengeance  is  an  emptiness  and  he  that  seeketh  it  wast- 
eth  himself." 

"Now  tell  me,  Don  Federigo,"  I  questioned,  "seek 
you  not  the  life  of  this  Belvedere  that  slew  your  son?" 

"  'Tis  my  prayer  to  see  him  die,  Senor,  yet  do  I  live 
to  other,  and  I  pray  to  nobler  purpose " 


48      Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

'Why,  then,"  quoth  I  fiercely,  "so  is  it  my  prayer  to 
watch  my  enemy  die  and  I  do  live  to  none  other  pur- 
pose  " 

"Spoke  like  true,  bully  lad,  Martino !"  cried  a  voice, 
and  glancing  about,  I  espied  Joanna  leaning  in  the 
opening  to  the  cave.  She  was  clad  in  her  male  attire 
as  I  had  seen  her  first,  save  that  by  her  side  she  bore 
the  bejewelled  Spanish  rapier.  Thus  lolled  she,  smil- 
ing on  me  half-contemptuous,  hand  poised  lightly  on 
the  hilt  of  her  sword,  all  graceful  insolence. 

"Eye  for  eye,  Martino,"  said  she,  nodding.  "Tooth 
for  tooth,  blood  for  blood:  'tis  a  good  law  and  just, 
yes !  How  say  you,  Senor  Don  Federigo ;  you  agree 
—no?" 

With  an  effort  Don  Federigo  got  to  his  feet  and, 
folding  his  cloak  about  his  spare  form,  made  her  a  pro- 
digious deep  obeisance. 

"  'Tis  a  law  ancient  of  days,  Senorita,"  said  he. 

"And  your  health  improves,  Senor,  I  hope — 
yes?" 

"The  Senorita  is  vastly  gracious!  Thanks  to  Don 
IVlartino  I  mend  apace.  Oh,  yes,  and  shall  soon  be 
strong  enough  to  die  decorously,  I  trust,  and  in  such 
fashion  as  the  Senorita  shall  choose." 

"Aha,  Senor,"  said  she,  with  flash  of  white  teeth, 
"'tis  an  everlasting  joy  to  me  that  I  also  am  of  noble 
Spanish  blood.  Some  day  when  justice  hath  been  done, 
and  you  are  no  more,  I  will  have  a  stone  raised  up  to 
mark  where  lie  the  bones  of  a  great  Spanish  gentleman. 
As  for  thee,  my  poor  Martino,  that  babblest  o'  ven- 
geance, 'tis  not  for  thee  nor  ever  can  be — thou  that 
art  only  English,  cold — cold — a  very  clod!  Oh,  verily 
there  is  more  life,  more  fire  and  passion  in  a  small, 
dead  fish  than  in  all  thy  great,  slow  body !  And  now, 
pray  charge  me  my  pistols ;  you  have  all  the  powder 
here."  I  shook  my  head.  "Fool,"  said  she,  "I  mean 
not  to  shoot  you,  and  as  for  Don  Federigo,  since  death 


I  Am  Determined  on  My  Vengeance    49 

is  but  his  due,  a  bullet  were  kinder — so  charge  now 
these  my  pistols." 

"I  have  no  powder,"  said  I. 

''Liar !" 

"I  cast  it  into  the  sea  lest  I  be  tempted  to  shoot 
you." 

Now  at  this  she  must  needs  burst  out  a-laughing. 

"Oh,  Englishman !"  cried  she.  "Oh,  sluggard  soul 
— how  like,  how  very  like  thee,  Martino !"  Then, 
laughing  yet,  she  turned  and  left  me  to  stare  after  her 
in  frowning  wonderment. 

This  night  after  supper,  sitting  in  the  light  of  the 
fire  and  finding  the  Don  very  wakeful,  I  was  moved  (at 
his  solicitation)  to  tell  him  my  history;  the  which 
I  will  here  recapitulate  as  briefly  as  I  may. 

"I  was  born,  sir,  in  Kent  in  England  exactly  thirty 
years  ago,  and  being  the  last  of  my  family  'tis  very 
sure  that  family  shall  become  a  name  soon  to  be  for- 
gotten  " 

"But  you,  Senor,  so  young " 

"But  ancient  in  suffering,  sir." 

"Oh,  young  sir,  but  what  of  love ;  'tis  a  magic '* 

"A  dream!"  quoth  I.  "A  dream  sweet  beyond 
words !  But  I  am  done  with  idle  dreaming,  hence- 
forth. I  come  then  of  one  of  two  families  long  at 
feud,  a  bloody  strife  that  had  endured  for  generations 
and  which  ended  in  my  father  being  falsely  accused  by 
his  more  powerful  enemy  and  thrown  into  prison  where 
he  speedily  perished.  Then  I,  scarce  more  than  lad, 
was  trepanned  aboard  ship,  carried  across  seas  and 
sold  a  slave  into  the  plantations.  And,  mark  me,  sir, 
all  this  the  doing  of  our  hereditary  enemy  who,  thus 
triumphant,  dreamed  he  had  ended  the  feud  once  and 
for  all.  Sir,  I  need  not  weary  you  with  my  sufferings 
as  a  planter's  slave,  to  labour  always  'neath  the  lash, 
to  live  or  die  as  my  master  willed.  Suffice  it  I  broke 
free  at  last  and,  though  well-nigh  famished,  made  my 


50      Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

way  to  the  coast.  But  here  my  travail  ended  in  de- 
spair, for  I  was  recaptured  and  being  known  for  run- 
away slave,  was  chained  to  an  oar  aboard  the  great 
Esjneralda  galleas  where  such  poor  rogues  had  their 
miserable  lives  whipped  out  of  them.  And  here  my 
sufferings  (since  it  seemed  I  could  not  die)  grew  well- 
nigh  beyond  me  to  endure.  But  from  this  hell  of 
shame  and  anguish  I  cried  unceasing  upon  God  for 
justice  and  vengeance  on  mine  enemy  that  had  plunged 
me  from  life  and  all  that  maketh  it  worthy  into  this 
living  death.  And  God  answered  me  in  this,  for  upon 
a  day  the  Esmeralda  was  shattered  and  sunk  by  an 
English  ship  and  I,  delivered  after  five  bitter  years  of 
agony,  came  back  to  my  native  land.  But  friends  had 
I  none,  nor  home,  since  the  house  wherein  I  was  born 
and  all  else  had  been  seized  by  my  enemy  and  he  a 
power  at  Court.  Him  sought  I  therefore  to  his  de- 
struction, since  (as  it  seemed  to  me)  God  had  brought 
me  out  of  my  tribulation  to  be  His  instrument  of  long- 
delayed  vengeance.  So,  friendless  and  destitute,  came 
I  at  last  to  that  house  had  been  ours  for  generations 
and  there  learned  that  my  hopes  and  labour  were  vain 
indeed,  since  this  man  I  was  come  to  destroy  had  him- 
self been  captured  and  cast  a  prisoner  in  that  very 
place  whence  I  had  so  lately  escaped!'* 

Here  the  memory  of  this  disappointment  waxing  in 
me  anew,  I  must  needs  pause  in  my  narration,  where- 
upon my  companion  spake  in  his  soft,  dispassionate 
voice : 

"Thus  surely  God  hath  answered  your  many  pray- 
ers, young  sir!" 

"And  how  so.?"  cried  I.  "Of  what  avail  that  this 
man  lie  pent  in  dungeon  or  sweating  in  chains  and  I 
not  there  to  see  his  agony.?  I  must  behold  him  suffer 
as  I  suffered,  hear  his  groans,  see  his  tears — I  that 
do  grieve  a  father  untimely  dead,  I  that  have  endured 
at  this  man's  will  a  thousand  shames  and  torment  be- 


I  Am  Determined  on  My  Vengeance    51 

yond  telling!  Thus,  sir,"  I  continued,  "learning  that 
his  daughter  was  fitting  out  a  ship  to  his  relief  I  (by 
aid  of  the  master  of  the  ship)  did  steal  myself  aboard 
and  sailed  back  again,  back  to  discover  this  my  enemy. 
But  on  the  voyage  mutiny  broke  out,  headed  by  that 
evil  rogue,  Tressady.  Then  was  I  tricked  and  cast 
adrift  in  an  open  boat  by  Adam  Penfeather,  the  mas- 
ter  " 

"Penfeather,  young  sir,  Adam  Penfeather!  Truly 
there  was  one  I  do  mind  greatly  famous  once  among 
the  buccaneers  of  Tortuga." 

"This  man,  then,  this  Penfeather  casts  me  adrift 
(having  struck  me  unconscious  first)  that  I  might 
secure  to  him  certain  treasure  that  lay  hid  on  this 
island,  a  vast  treasure  of  jewels  called  'Black  Bart- 
lemy's  treasure.'  " 

"I  have  heard  mention  of  it,  Senor." 

"Here  then   steered  I,  perforce,  and,  storm-tossed, 

was  cast  here,  I  and — my  comrade " 

"Comrade,  Senor?" 

"Indeed,  sir.  For  with  me  in  the  boat  was  a  woman 
and  she  the  daughter  of  my  enemy.  And  here,  being 
destitute  of  all  things,  we  laboured  together  to  our 
common  need  and  surely,  aye,  surely,  never  had  man 
braver  comrade  or  sweeter  companion.  She  taught  me 
many  things  and  amongst  them  how  to  love  her,  and 
loving,  to  honour  and  respect  her  for  her  pure  and 
noble  womanhood.  Upon  a  time,  to  save  herself  from 
certain  evil  men  driven  hither  by  tempest  she  leapt  into 
a  lake  that  lieth  in  the  midst  of  this  island,  being  car- 
ried some  distance  by  a  current,  came  in  this  marvellous 
fashion  on  the  secret  of  Black  Bartlemy^s  hidden 
treasure.  But  I,  thinking  her  surely  dead,  fought  these 
rogues,  slaying  one  and  driving  his  fellow  back  to  sea 
and,  being  wounded,  fell  sick,  dreaming  my  dear,  lady 
beside  me  again,  hale  and  full  of  life;  and  waking  at 
last  from  my  fears,  found  this  the  very  truth.     In  the 


52      Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

following  days  I  forgot  all  my  prayers  and  the  great 
oath  of  vengeance  I  had  sworn,  by  reason  of  my  love 
for  this  my  sweet  comrade.  But  then  came  the  pirate 
Tressady  and  his  fellows  seeking  the  treasure,  and 
after  him,  Penfeather,  which  last,  being  a  very  desper- 
ate, cunning  man,  took  Tressady  by  a  wile  and  would 
have  hanged  him  with  his  comrade  Mings,  but  for  my 
lady.  These  rogues  turned  I  adrift  in  one  of  the  boats 
to  live  or  die  as  God  should  appoint.  And  now  (my 
vengeance  all  forgot)  there  grew  in  me  a  passionate 
hope  to  have  found  me  peace  at  last  and  happiness  in 
my  dear  lady's  love,  and  wedded  to  her,  sail  back  to 
England  and  home.  But  such  great  happiness  was  not 
for  me,  it  seemed.  I  was  falsely  accused  of  murder  and 
(unable  to  prove  my  innocence)  I  chose  rather  to  abide 
here  solitary  than  endure  her  doubting  of  me,  or  bring 
shame  or  sorrow  on  one  so  greatly  loved.  Thus,  sir, 
here  have  I  existed  a  solitary  man  ever  since." 

"And  the  Senorita  Joanna,  young  sir?" 

When  I  had  told  him  of  her  coming  and  the  strange 
manner  of  it,  Don  Federigo  lay  silent  a  good  while, 
gazing  into  the  fire. 

"And  your  enemy,  Senor.'*'*  he  questioned  at  last. 
"Where  lieth  he  now  to  your  knowledge.^" 

"At  Nombre  de  Dios,  in  the  dungeons  of  the  Inqui- 
sition, 'tis  said." 

"The  Inquisition !"  quoth  Don  Federigo  in  a  whis- 
per, and  crossed  himself.  "Sir,"  said  he,  and  with  a 
strange  look.  **0h,  young  sir,  if  this  be  so  indeed,  rest 
you  content,  for  God  hath  surely  avenged  you — aye, 
to  the  very  uttermost  !'* 


CHAPTER  Vni 

How  THE  Days  of  My  Watching  Webb 
Accomplished 

Our  fresh  meat  being  nearly  all  gone,  I  set  out  next 
morning  with  my  bow  and  arrows  (in  the  management 
of  which  I  had  made  myself  extreme  dexterous)  ;  I  set 
out,  I  say,  minded  to  shoot  me  a  young  goat  or,  failing 
this,  one  of  those  great  birds  whose  flesh  I  had  found 
ere  now  to  be  very  tender  and  delicate  eating. 

Hardly  had  I  waved  adieu  to  the  Don  (him  sitting 
in  the  shade  propped  in  one  of  my  great  elbow  chairs) 
than  I  started  a  goat  and  immediately  gave  chase,  not 
troubling  to  use  my  bow,  for  what  with  my  open-air 
life  and  constant  exercise  I  had  become  so  long-winded 
and  fleet  of  foot  that  I  would  frequently  run  these  wild 
creatures  aown. 

Away  sped  the  goat  and  I  after  it,  along  perilous 
tracks  and  leaping  from  rock  to  rock,  joying  in  the 
chase,  since  of  late  I  had  been  abroad  very  little  by 
reason  of  Don  Federigo's  sickness ;  on  I  ran  after  my 
quarry,  the  animal  making  ever  for  higher  erround  and 
more  diiBcult  ways  until  we  were  come  to  a  rocky 
height  whence  I  might  behold  a  wide  expanse  of  ocean. 

Now,  as  had  become  my  wont,  I  cast  a  look  around 
about  this  vast  horizon  and  stopped  all  at  once,  clean 
forgetting  my  goat  and  all  else  in  the  world  excepting 
that  which  had  caught  my  lonely  glance,  that  for  which 
I  had  looked  and  waited  and  prayed  for  so  long.  For 
there,  dim-seen  'twixt  the  immensity  of  sea  and  sky,  was 
a  speck  I  knew  for  the  topsails  of  &  ship.    Long  stood 


54      Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

I  staring  as  one  entranced,  my  hands  tight  clasped, 
and  all  a-sweat  with  fear  lest  this  glimmering  speck 
should  fade  and  vanish  utterly  away.  At  last,  dread- 
ing this  be  but  my  fancy  or  a  trick  of  the  light,  I  sum- 
moned enough  resolution  to  close  my  eyes  and,  bowing 
my  head  between  my  hands,  remained  thus  as  long  as 
I  might  endure.  Then,  opening  my  eyes,  I  uttered  a 
cry  of  joy  to  see  this  speck  loom  more  distinct  and 
plainer  than  before.  Thereupon  I  turned  and  began 
to  hasten  back  with  some  wild  notion  of  putting  off  in 
Don  Federigo's  boat  (the  which  lay  securely  afloat  in 
the  lagoon)  and  of  standing  away  for  this  ship  lest 
peradventure  she  miss  the  island.  Full  of  this  dreadful 
possibility  I  took  to  running  like  any  madman,  staying 
for  nothing,  leaping,  scrambling,  slipping  and  stum- 
bling down  sheer  declivities,  breasting  precipitous  cliffs 
until  I  reached  and  began  to  descend  Skeleton  Cove. 

I  was  half-way  down  the  cliff  when  I  heard  the  clash 
of  steel,  and  presently  coming  where  I  might  look  down 
into  the  cove  I  saw  this:  with  his  back  to  a  rock  and 
a  smear  of  blood  on  his  cheek  stood  Don  Federigo, 
armed  with  my  cut-and- thrust,  defending  himself 
against  Joanna;  and  as  I  watched  the  flash  of  their 
whirling,  clashing  blades,  it  did  not  take  me  long  to  see 
that  the  Don  was  no  match  for  her  devilish  skill  and 
cunning,  and  beholding  her  swift  play  of  foot  and  wrist, 
her  lightning  volts  and  passes,  I  read  death  in  every 
supple  line  of  her.  Even  as  I  hasted  towards  them,  I 
saw  the  dart  of  her  long  blade,  followed  by  a  vivid, 
ever-widening  stain  on  the  shoulder  of  the  Don's  tat- 
tered shirt. 

"Ha-ha !"  cried  she  and  with  a  gasconading  flourish 
of  her  blade.  "There's  for  Pierre  Valdaigne  you 
hanged  six  months  agone!  There's  for  Jeremy  Price  I 
And  this  for  Tonio  Moretti !  And  now  for  John  Davis, 
sa-ha !"  With  every  name  she  uttered,  her  cruel  steel, 
flashing  within  his  weakening  guard,  bit  into  him,  ana 


The  Days  of  My  Watching      55 

or  leg,  and  I  saw  she  meant  to  cut  him  to  pieces.  The 
sword  was  beaten  from  his  failing  grasp  and  her  point 
menaced  his  throat,  his  breast,  his  eyes,  whiles  he,  lean- 
ing feebly  against  the  rock,  fronted  her  unflinching  and 
waited  death  calm  and  undismayed.  But,  staying  for 
no  more,  I  leapt  down  into  the  cove  and  fell,  rolling 
upon  the  soft  sand,  whereupon  she  flashed  a  look  at 
me  over  her  shoulder  and  in  that  moment  Don  Federigo 
had  grappled  her  sword-arm ;  then  came  I  running  and 
she,  letting  fall  her  sword,  laughed  to  see  me  catch 
it  up. 

"Ha,  my  brave  English  clod,"  cried  she.  "There 
be  two  swords  and  two  men  against  one  defenceless 
woman !  Come,  end  me,  Martino,  end  me  and  be  done — 
or  will  you  sufi*er  the  Don  to  show  you,  yes?"  And 
folding  her  arms  she  faced  me  mighty  high  and  scorn- 
ful. But  now,  whiles  I  stared  at  her  insolent  beauty 
and  no  word  ready,  Don  Federigo  made  her  one  of  his 
grand  bows  and  staggered  into  the  cave,  spattering 
blood  as  he  went. 

And  in  a  little  (staying  only  to  take  up  the  other 
sword)  I  followed  him,  leaving  her  to  stand  and  mock 
me  with  her  laughter.  Reaching  the  Don  I  found  him 
a-swoon  and  straightway  set  myself  to  bare  his  wounds 
and  staunch  their  bleeding  as  well  as  I  might,  in  the 
doing  of  which  I  must  needs  marvel  anew  at  Joanna's 
devilish  skill,  since  each  and  every  of  these  hurts  came 
near  no  vital  spot  and  were  of  little  account  in  them- 
selves, so  that  a  man  might  be  stabbed  thus  very  many 
times  ere  death  ended  his  torment. 

After  awhile,  recovering  himself  somewhat,  Don 
Federigo  must  needs  strive  to  speak  me  his  gratitude, 
but  I  cut  him  short  to  tell  of  the  ship  I  had  seen. 

"I  pray  what  manner  of  ship?" 

"Nay,  she  is  yet  too  far  to  determine,"  said  I,  glanc- 
ing eagerly  seawards.  "But  since  ship  she  is,  what 
matter  for  aught  beside?" 


56      Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

*'True,  Senor  Martino !     I  am  selfish.'* 

"How  so?" 

"Unless  she  be  ship  of  Spain,  here  is  no  friend  to 
me.  But  you  will  be  yearning  for  sight  of  this  vessel 
whiles  I  keep  you.  Go,  young  sir,  go  forth — make  you 
a  fire,  a  smoke  plain  to  be  seen  and  may  this  ship  bring 
you  to  freedom  and  a  surcease  of  all  your  tribula- 
tions !" 

"A  smoke!"  cried  I,  leaping  up.  "Ha,  yes — yes!" 
And  off  went  I,  running;  but  reaching  Deliverance  I 
saw  there  was  no  need  for  signal  of  mine,  since  on  the 
cliff  above  a  fire  burned  already,  sending  up  huge  col- 
umns of  thick  smoke  very  plain  to  be  seen  from  afar, 
and  beside  this  fire  Joanna  staring  seaward  beneath 
her  hand.  And  looking  whither  she  looked,  I  saw  the 
ship  so  much  nearer  that  I  might  distinguish  her  lower 
courses.  Thus  I  stood,  watching  the  vessel  grow  upon 
my  sight,  very  slowly  and  by  degrees,  until  it  was 
evident  she  had  seen  the  smoke  and  was  standing  in 
for  the  island.  Once  assured  of  this,  I  was  seized  of 
a  passion  of  joy;  and  bethinking  me  of  all  she  might 
mean  to  me  and  of  the  possibihty  that  one  might  be 
aboard  her  whose  sweet  eyes  even  now  gazed  from  her 
decks  upon  this  lonely  island,  my  heart  leapt  whiles 
ship  and  sea  swam  on  my  sight  and  I  grew  blinded  by 
stinging  tears.  And  now  I  paced  to  and  fro  upon  the 
sand  in  a  fever  of  longing  and  with  my  hungry  gaze 
turned  ever  in  the  one  direction. 

As  the  time  dragged  by,  my  impatience  grew  almost 
beyond  enduring;  but  on  came  the  ship,  slow  but  sure, 
nearer  and  nearer  until  I  could  discern  shroud  and  spar 
and  rope,  the  guns  that  yawned  from  her  high,  weather- 
beaten  side,  the  people  who  crowded  her  decks.  She 
seemed  a  great  ship,  heavily  armed  and  manned,  and 
high  upon  her  towering  poop  lolled  one  in  a  vivid  scar- 
let jacket. 

I  was  gazing  upon  her  in  an  ecstacy,  straining  my 


The  Days  of  My  Watching       57 

eyes  for  the  flutter  of  a  petticoat  upon  her  lofty 
quarter-deck,  when  I  heard  Don  Federigo  hail  me 
faintly,  and  glancing  about,  espied  him  leaning  against 
an  adjacent  rock. 

"Alas,  Sefior,"  says  he,  "I  know  yon  ship  by  her 
looks — aye,  and  so  doth  the  Senorita — see  yonder!" 
Now  glancing  whither  he  pointed,  I  beheld  Joanna 
pacing  daintily  along  the  reef,  pausing  ever  and  anon 
to  signal  with  her  arm;  then,  as  the  ship  went  about 
to  bear  up  towards  the  reef,  from  her  crowded  decks 
rose  a  great  shouting  and  halloo,  a  hoarse  clamour 
drowned  all  at  once  in  the  roar  of  great  guns,  and  up 
to  the  main  fluttered  a  black  ancient;  and  beholding 
this  accursed  flag,  its  grisly  skull  and  bones,  I  cast  me 
down  on  the  sands,  my  high  hopes  and  fond  expecta- 
tions 'whelmed  in  a  great  despair. 

But  as  I  lay  thus  was  a  gentle  touch  on  my  bowed 
head  and  in  my  ear  Don  Federigo's  voice : 

"Alas,  good  m}^  friend,  and  doth  Hope  die  for  you 
likewise?  Then  do  I  grieve  indeed.  But  despair  not, 
for  in  the  cave  yonder  be  two  swords ;  go  fetch  them, 
I  pray,  for  I  am  over-weak.'* 

"Of  what  avail,"  cried  I  bitterly,  looking  up  into  the 
pale  serenity  of  liis  face,  "of  what  avail  two  swords 
'gainst  a  ship's  company?" 

"vv^e  can  die,  Sefior!"  said  he,  with  his  gentle  smile. 
"To  die  on  our  own  steel,  by  our  own  hands — ^here — 
is  clean  death  and  honourable." 

"True!"  said  I. 

"Then  I  pray  go  fetch  the  swords,  my  friend;  'tis 
time  methinks — look!"  Glancing  towards  the  ship, 
I  saw  she  was  already  come  to  an  anchor  and  a  boatful 
of  men  pulling  briskly  for  the  reef  where  stood  Joanna, 
and  as  they  rowed  they  cheered  her  amain : 

**La  Culebra !"  they  roared.  "Ahoy,  Joanna !  Give 
a  rouse  for  Fighting  Jo !    Cap'n  Jo — ha,  Joanna !" 

The  boat  being  near  enough,  many  eager  hands  were 


58      Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

reached  out  to  her  and  with  Joanna  on  board  they 
paddled  into  the  lagoon.  Now  as  they  drew  in  to 
Deliverance  Beach  they  fell  silent  all,  hearkening  to 
her  words,  and  I  saw  her  point  them  suddenly  to 
Skeleton  CovC;  whereupon  they  rowed  amain  towards 
that  spit  of  sand  where  we  stood  screened  among  the 
rocks,  shouting  in  fierce  exultation  as  they  came.  Don 
Federigo  sank  upon  his  knees  with  head  bowed  rever- 
entl}^  above  his  little  crucifix,  and  when  at  last  he 
looked  up  his  face  showed  placid  as  ever. 

"Senor,"  quoth  he  gently,  "you  do  hear  them  howl- 
ing for  my  blood.?  Well,  you  bear  a  knife  in  your 
girdle — I  pray  you  lend  it  to  me."  For  a  moment  I 
hesitated,  then,  drawing  the  weapon  forth,  I  sent  it 
spinning  far  out  to  sea. 

"Sir,"  said  I,  "we  English  do  hold  that  whiles  life 
is — so  is  hope.  Howbeit,  if  you  die  you  shall  not  die 
alone,  this  I  swear." 

Then  I  sprang  forth  of  the  rocks  and  strode  down 
where  these  lawless  fellows  were  beaching  their  boat. 


CHAPTER  IX 

We  Fall  Among  Pirates 

At  my  sudden  coming  they  fell  silent,  one  and  all, 
staring  from  me  to  Joanna,  where  she  stood  beside  & 
buxom,  swaggering  ruffling  fellow  whose  moustachios 
and  beard  were  cut  after  the  Spanish  mode  but  with 
a  monstrous  great  periwig  on  his  head  surmounted 
by  a  gold-braided,  looped  hat.  His  coat  was  of  scarlet 
velvet,  brave  with  much  adornment  of  gold  lace;  his 
legs  were  thrust  into  a  pair  of  rough  sea-boots;  and 
on  his  hip  a  long,  curved  hanger  very  broad  in  the 
blade. 

"  'S  fish !"  said  he,  looking  me  over  with  his  sleepy 
eyes.  "Is  this  your  Englishman,  Jo.?  And  what  must 
we  do  wi'  him — shall  he  hang?" 

"Mayhap  yes — when  'tis  so  my  whim,''  answered  she, 
'twixt  smiling  lips  and  staring  me  in  the  eyes. 

But  now,  and  all  at  once,  from  the  wild  company 
rose  a  sudden  hoarse  murmur  that  swelled  again  to 
that  fierce,  exultant  uproar  as  down  towards  us  paced 
Don  Federigo. 

"Aha,  'tis  the  Marquis!"  they  cried.  " 'Tis  the 
bloody  Marquis !  Shoot  the  dog !  Nay,  hang  him  up ! 
Aye,  by  his  thumbs.  Nay,  burn  him — to  the  fire  wi' 
the  bloody  rogue !" 

Unheeding  their  vengeful  outcry  he  advanced  upon 
the  men  (and  these  ravening  for  his  blood),  viewing 
their  lowering  faces  and  brandished  steel  with  his  calm, 
dispassionate  gaze  and  very  proud  and  upright  for  all 


6o      Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

his  bodily  weakness ;  pausing  beside  me,  he  threw  up 
his  hand  with  ha^^ghty  gesture  and  before  the  command 
of  this  ragged  arm  they  abated  their  clamour  some- 
what. 

"Of  a  surety ,'*  said  he  in  his  precise  English,  "it  is 
the  Capitan  Belvedere.  You  captured  my  daughter — - 
my  son — in  the  Margarita  carrack  three  years  agone. 
'Tis  said  he  died  at  your  hands,  Senor  Capitan ^" 

"Not  mine,  Don,  not  mine,"  answered  this  Belvedere, 
smiling  sleepily.  "We  gave  him  to  Black  Pompey  to 
carbonado."  I  felt  Don  Federigo's  hand  against  me  as 
if  suddenly  faint,  but  his  wide-eyed  gaze  never  left  the 
Captain's  handsome  face,  who,  aware  of  this  look, 
shifted  his  own  gaze,  cocked  his  hat  and  swaggered. 
"Stare  your  fill,  now,"  quoth  he  with  an  oath,  "  'tis 
little  enough  you'll  be  seeing  presently.  Aye,  you'll 
be  blind  enough  soon " 

"Blind  is  it,  Cap'n — ^ha,  good!"  cried  a  squat,  ill- 
looking  fellow,  whipping  out  a  long  knife.  "Hung  my 
comrade  Jem,  a  did,  so  here's  a  knife  shall  blind  him 
when  ye  will,  Cap'n,  by  hookey!"  And  now  he  and 
his  fellows  began  to  crowd  upon  us  with  evil  looks; 
but  they  halted  suddenly,  fumbling  with  their  weapons 
and  eyeing  Joanna  uncertainly  where  she  stood,  hand 
on  hip,  viewing  them  with  her  fleering  smile. 

"Die  he  shall,  yes !"  said  she  at  last.  "Die  he  must, 
but  in  proper  fashion  and  time,  not  by  such  vermin  as 
you — so  put  up  that  knife!     You  hear  me,  yes?" 

"Hanged  my  comrade  Jem,  a  did,  along  o'  many 
others  o'  the  Fellowship !"  growled  the  squat  man, 
flourishing  his  knife.  "Moreover  the  Cap'n  says 
'blind'  says  he,  so  blind  it  is,  says  I,  and  this  the  knife 

to "     The  growling  voice  was  drowned  in  the  roar 

of  a  pistol  and,  dropping  his  knife,  the  fellow  screamed 
and  caught  at  his  hurt. 

"And  there's  for  you,  yes!"  said  Joanna,  smiling 
into  the  man's  agonised  face.     "Be  thankful  I  spared 


We  Fall  Among  Pirates         6l 

your  worthless  life.  Crawl  into  the  boat,  worm,  and 
wait  till  I'm  minded  to  patch  up  your  hurt — Go !" 

For  a  moment  was  silence,  then  came  a  great  gust 
of  laughter,  and  men  clapped  and  pummelled  each 
other. 

"La  Culebra!"  they  roared.  " 'Tis  our  Jo,  'tis 
Fighting  Jo,  sure  and  sartain;  'tis  our  luck,  the  luck 
o'  the  Brotherhood — ha,  Joanna!" 

But,  tossing  aside  the  smoking  pistol,  Joanna 
scowled  from  them  to  their  captain. 

"Hola,  Belvedere,"  said  she.  "Your  dogs  do  grow 
out  of  hand;  'tis  well  I'm  back  again.  Now  for  these 
my  prisoners,  seize  'em  up,  bind  'em  fast  and  heave  'em 
aboard  ship." 

"Aye,  but,"  said  Belvedere,  fingering  his  beard,  "why 
aboard,  Jo,  when  we  may  do  their  business  here  and 
prettily.  Yon's  a  tree  shall  make  notable  good  gal- 
lows or — look  now,  here's  right  plenty  o'  kindling,  and 
driftwood  shall  bum  'em  merrily  and  'twill  better  please 
the  lads " 

"But  then  I  do  pleasure  myself,  yes.  So  aboard  ship 
they  go !" 

"Why,  look  now,  Jo,"  said  Belvedere,  biting  at  his 
thumb,  "  'tis  ever  my  rule  to  keep  no  prisoners ^" 

"Save  women,  Cap'n !"  cried  a  voice,  drowned  in  sud- 
den evil  laughter. 

"So,  as  I  say,  Joanna,  these  prisoners  cannot  go 
aboard  my  ship." 

"Your  ship?"  said  she,  mighty  scornful.  "Ah,  ah, 
but  'twas  I  made  you  captain  of  your  ship  and  'tis  I 
can  unmake  you " 

"Why  look  ye,  Jo,"  said  Belvedere,  gnawing  at  his 
thumb  more  savagely  and  glancing  towards  his  chafing 
company,  "the  good  lads  be  growing  impatient,  being 
all  heartily  for  ending  these  prisoners  according  to 
custom " 

"Aye,  aye,  Cap'n!"  cried  divers  of  the  men,  begin- 


(^2      Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

ning  to  crowd  upon  us  again.  "To  the  fire  with  'em? 
Nay,  send  aboard  for  Black  Pompey !  Aye,  Pompey's 
the  lad  to  set  'em  dancing  Indian  fashion " 

"You  hear,  Jo,  you  hear?"  cried  Belvedere.  "The 
lads  are  for  ending  of  'em  sportive  fashion — especially 
the  Don;  he  must  die  slow  and  quaint  for  sake  o'  the 
good  lads  as  do  hang  a-rotting  on  his  cursed  gibbets 
e'en  now — quaint  and  slow;  the  lads  think  so  and  so 
think  I " 

"But  you  were  ever  a  dull  fool,  my  pretty  man, 
yes !"  said  Joanna,  showing  her  teeth.  "And  as  for 
these  rogues,  they  do  laugh  at  you — see!"  But  as 
Belvedere  turned  to  scowl  upon  and  curse  his  ribalds, 
Joanna  deftly  whisked  the  pistols  from  his  belt  and 
every  face  was  smitten  to  sudden  anxious  gravity  as 
she  faced  them. 

"I  am  Joanna !"  quoth  she,  her  red  lips  curving  to 
the  smile  I  ever  found  so  hateful.  "Oh,  Madre  de  Dios, 
where  now  are  your  tongues  ?  And  never  a  smile  among 
ye !  Is  there  a  man  here  that  will  not  obey  Joanna — no  ? 
Joanna  that  could  kill  any  of  ye  single-handed  as  she 
killed  Cestiforo !"  At  this  was  an  uneasy  stir  and 
muttering  among  them,  and  Belvedere's  sleepy  eyes 
widened  suddenly.  "Apes  !"  cried  she,  beslavering  them 
with  all  manner  of  abuse,  French,  Spanish  and  English. 
"Monkeys,  cease  your  chattering  and  list  to  Joanna. 
And  mark — ^my  prisoners  go  aboard  this  very  hour,  yes. 
And  to-day  we  sail  for  Nombre  de  Dios.  Being  before 
the  town  we  send  in  a  boat  under  flag  of  truce  to  say 
we  hold  captive  their  governor,  Don  Federigo  de 
Cosalva  y  Maldonada,  demanding  for  him  a  sufficient 
ransom.  The  money  paid,  then  will  we  fire  a  broadside 
into  the  city  and  the  folk  shall  see  their  proud  Governor 
swung  aloft  to  dangle  and  kick  at  our  mainyard;  so 
do  we  achieve  vengeance  and  money  both " 

From  every  throat  burst  a  yell  of  wild  acclaim, 
shout  on  shout : 


We  Fall  Among  Pirates  63 

"Hey,  lads,  for  Cap'n  Jo !  'Tis  she  hath  the  wise 
head,  mates  !  Money  and  vengeance,  says  Jo  !  Shout, 
lads,  for  Fighting  Jo — shout!" 

"And  what  o'  your  big  rogue,  Jo?"  demanded  Belve- 
dere, scowling  on  me. 

"He?'*  said  Joanna,  curling  her  lip  at  me.  Oh,  la-la, 
he  shall  be  our  slave — 'til  he  weary  me.  So — bring 
them  along!" 

But  now  (and  all  too  late)  perceiving  death  to  be 
the  nobler  part,  even  as  Don  Federigo  had  said,  I 
determined  to  end  matters  then  and  there ;  thus,  turn- 
ing from  Joanna's  baleful  smile,  I  leapt  suddenly  upon 
the  nearest  of  the  pirates  and  felling  him  with  a  buffet, 
came  to  grips  with  another;  this  man  I  swung  full- 
armed,  hurling  him  among  his  fellows,  and  all  before 
a  shot  might  be  fired.  But  as  I  stood  fronting  them, 
awaiting  the  stab  or  bullet  should  end  me,  I  heard 
Joanna's  voice  shrill  and  imperious: 

"Hold,  lads !  You  are  twelve  and  he  but  one  and 
unarmed.  So  down  with  your  weapons — down,  I  say! 
You  shall  take  me  this  man  with  your  naked  hands — 
ha,  fists — yes  !  Smite  then — ^bruise  him,  fists  shall 
never  kill  him !  To  it,  with  your  hands  then ;  the  first 
man  that  draweth  weapon  I  shoot !  To  it,  lads,  sa-ha 
— at  him  then,  good  bullies !" 

For  a  moment  they  hesitated  but  seeing  Joanna,  her 
cheeks  aglow,  her  pistols  grasped  in  ready  hands,  they 
laughed  and  cursed  and,  loosing  off  such  things  as 
incommoded  them,  prepared  to  come  at  me.  Then, 
perceiving  she  had  fathomed  my  design  and  that  here 
was  small  chance  of  finding  sudden  quietus,  I  folded 
my  arms,  minded  to  let  them  use  me  as  they  wou!u. 
But  this  fine  resolution  was  brought  to  none  account 
by  a  small  piece  of  driftwood  that  one  of  these  fellows 
hove  at  me,  thereby  setting  my  mouth  a-bleeding. 
Stung  by  the  blow  and  forgetting  all  but  my  anger, 
I  leapt  and  smote  with  my  fist,  and  then  he  and  his» 


64      Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

fellows  were  upon  me.  But  they  being  so  many  theif 
very  numbers  hampered  them,  so  that  as  they  leapt 
upon  me  many  a  man  was  staggered  by  kick  or  buffet 
aimed  at  me;  moreover  these  passed  their  days  cooped 
up  on  shipboard  whiles  I  was  a  man  hardened  by  con- 
stant exercise.  Scarce  conscious  of  the  hurts  I  took  as 
we  reeled  to  and  fro,  locked  in  furious  grapple,  I  fought 
them  very  joyously,  making  right  good  play  with  my 
fists;  but  ever  as  I  smote  one  down,  another  leapt  to 
smite,  so  that  presently  my  breath  began  to  labour. 
How  long  I  endured,  I  know  not.  Only  I  remember 
marvelling  to  find  myself  so  strong  and  the  keen  joy  of 
it  was  succeeded  by  sudden  weariness,  a  growing  sick- 
ness :  I  remember  a  sound  of  groaning  breaths  all  about 
me,  of  thudding  blows,  hoarse  shouts,  these,  waxing  ever 
fainter,  until  smiting  with  failing  arms  and  ever-waning 
strength,  they  dragged  me  down  at  last  and  I  lay 
vanquished  and  unresisting.  As  I  sprawled  there,  draw- 
ing my  breath  in  painful  gasps,  the  hands  that  smote, 
the  merciless  feet  that  kicked  and  trampled  me  were 
suddenly  stilled  and  staring  up  with  dimming  eyes  I 
saw  Joanna  looking  down  on  me. 

"Oh,  Martino,"  said  she  in  my  ear,  "Oh,  fool  Eng- 
lishman, could  you  but  love  as  you  do  fight " 

But  groaning,  I  turned  my  face  to  the  trampled 
sand  and  knew  no  more. 


CHAPTER  X 

How  I  Came  Aboard  the  Happy  Despatch  and 
OF  My  Sufferings  There 

I  AWOKE  gasping  to  the  shock  of  cold  water  and  was 
dimly  aware  of  divers  people  crowding  about  me. 

"  'Tis  a  fine,  bull-bodied  boy,  Job,  all  brawn  and 
beef — ^witness  your  eye.  Lord  love  me!"  exclaimed  a 
jovial  voice.  "Aha,  Job,  a  lusty  lad — ^heave  t'other 
bucket  over  him!"  There  came  another  torrent  of 
water,  whereupon  I  strove  to  sit  up,  but  finding  this 
vain  by  reason  of  strict  bonds,  I  cursed  them  all  and 
sundry  instead. 

"A  sturdy  soul.  Job,  and  of  a  comfortable  conver- 
sation !"  quoth  the  voice.  "Moreover  a  man  o'  mark, 
as  witnesseth  your  peeper." 

"Rot  him !"  growled  the  man  Job,  a  beastly-seeming 
fellow,  very  slovenly  and  foul  of  person,  who  glared 
down  at  me  out  of  one  eye,  the  other  being  so  bruised 
and  swollen  as  to  serve  him  no  whit. 

"He  should  be  overside  wi'  his  guts  full  o'  shot  for 

this  same  heye  of  mine  if  'twas  my  say " 

"But  then  it  ain't  your  say.  Job,  nor  yet  Belve- 
dere's— 'tis  hern.  Job — ^hem — Cap'n  Jo's.  'He's  to 
be  took  care  of,'  says  she,  'treated  kind  and  gentle,' 
says  she.  And,  mark  me,  here's  Belvedere's  nose  out 
o'  joint,  d'ye  see?  And,  talkin'  o'  noses,  there's  your 
eye,  Job;  sink  me  but  he  wiped  your  eye  for  you,  my 

lad " 

"Plague  and  perish  him!"  snarled  Job,  kicking  me 
viciously.     "Bum  him,  'tis  keelhaul  'ira  I  would  first 


66      Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

and  then  give  'im  to  Pompey  to  carve  up  what 
remained ' ' 

"Pompey?"  exclaimed  this  fellow  Diccon,  a  merry- 
seeming  fellow  but  with  a  truculent  eye.  "Look  'ee, 
Job,  here's  a  match  for  Pompey  at  last,  as  I  do  think, 
man  to  man,  bare  fists  or  knives,  a  match  and  Pll  lay 
to't." 

"Pshaw!"  growled  Job.  "Pompey  could  eat  'im — 
bones  and  all,  curse  'im  1  Pompey  would  break  'is  back 
as  'e  did  the  big  Spaniard's  last  week." 

"Na}^,  Job,  this  fellow  should  make  better  fight  for't 
than  did  the  Spanisher.  Look  'ee  now,  match  'em,  and 
I'll  lay  all  my  share  o'  the  voyage  on  this  fellow,  come 
now !" 

"A  match?  Why  so  I  would,  but  what  o'  Belve- 
dere?" 

"He  sulketh,  Job,  and  yonder  he  cometh,  a-sucking 
of  his  thumb  and  all  along  o'  this  fellow  and  our  Jo. 
Joanna's  cocked  her  eye  on  this  fellow  and  Belvedere's 
cake's  dough — see  him  yonder!" 

Now  following  the  speaker's  look,  I  perceived  Cap- 
tain Belvedere  descending  the  quarter-ladder,  his  hand- 
some face  very  evil  and  scowling;  spying  me  where  I 
lay,  he  came  striding  up  and  folding  his  arms,  stood 
booking  over  me  silently  awhile. 

"Lord  love  me !"  he  exclaimed  at  last  in  huge  disgust 
and  spat  upon  me.    "Aft  with  him — to  the  coach " 

"Coach,  Cap'n?"  questioned  Job,  staring.  "And 
why  theer?" 

"Because  I  say  so!"  roared  Belvedere. 

"And  because,"  quoth  Diccon,  his  eye  more  trucu- 
lent than  ever,  "because  women  will  be  women,  eh.  Cap- 
tain?" At  this  Belvedere's  face  grew  suffused,  his  eyes 
glared  and  he  turned  on  the  speaker  with  clenched  fist ; 
then  laughing  grimly,  he  spumed  me  savagely  with  his 
foot. 

"Joanna  hath  her  whimsies,  and  here's  one  of  'em!" 


Aboard  the  Happy  Despatch      67 

quoth  he  and  spat  on  me  again,  whereat  I  raged  and 
strove,  despite  my  bonds,  to  come  at  him. 

"I  were  a-saving  to  Job,"  quoth  the  man  Diccon, 
thrusting  me  roughly  beyond  reach  of  Belvedere's  heavy 
foot,  "that  here  was  a  fellow  to  match  Pompey  at  last." 

"Tush!"  said  Belvedere,  with  an  oath.  "Pompey 
would  quarter  him  wi'  naked  hands." 

"I  was  a-saying  to  Job  I  would  wager  my  share  in 
the  voyage  on  this  fellow.  Belvedere!" 

"Aye,  Cap'n,"  growled  Job,  "  'tis  well  enough  keep- 
ing the  Don  to  hang  afore  Nombre  but  why  must  this 
dog  live  aft  and  cosseted?  He  should  walk  over- 
board wi'  slit  weasand,  or  better — he's  meat  for 
Pompey,  and  wherefore  no.^     I  asks  why,  Cap'n?" 

"Aye — why!"  cried  Belvedere,  gnashing  his  teeth. 
"Ask  her — go  ask  Joanna,  the  curst  jade." 

"She  be  only  a  woman,  when  all's  said,  Cap'n " 

"Nay,  Job,"  quoth  Belvedere,  shaking  his  head. 
"She's  Joanna  and  behind  her  do  lie  Tressady  and  Sol 
and  Rory  and  Abnegation  Mings — and  all  the  Fellow- 
ship. So  if  she  says  he  lives,  lives  it  is,  to  lie  soft  and 
feed  dainty,  curse  him.  Let  me  die  if  I  don't  wish  I'd 
left  her  on  the  island  to  end  him  her  own  way — wi'  steel 
or  kindness " 

"Kjndness !"  said  Diccon,  with  an  ugly  leer.  "WTiy, 
there  it  is,  Cap'n;  she's  off  wi'  the  old  and  on  wi'  the 
new,  like " 


«i 


'Not  yet,  by  God!"  snarled  Belvedere  'twixt  shut 
teeth  and  scowhng  down  on  me  while  his  hand  clawed  at 
the  pistol  in  his  belt;  then  his  gaze  wandered  from  me 
towards  the  poop  and  back  again.  "Curse  him !"  said 
he,  stamping  in  his  impotent  fury.  "I'd  give  a  handful 
o'  gold  pieces  to  see  liim  dead  and  be  damned !" 
And  here  he  fell  a-biting  savagely  at  his  thumb 
again. 

"Why,  then,  here's  a  lad  to  earn  'em,'*  quoth  Job, 
"an'  that's  me.     I've  a  score  agin  him  for  this  lick  o' 


68      Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

the  e^'^e  he  give  me  ashore — nigh  blinded  me,  'e  did, 
burn  an'  blast  his  bones !" 

"Aye,  but  what  o'  Joanna,  what  o'  that  she-snake, 
ha?" 

"  'Tis  no  matter  for  her.     I've  a  plan." 

"What  is't.  Job  lad?  Speak  fair  and  the  money*s 
good  as  yourn " 

"Aye,  but  it  ain't  mine  yet,  Cap'n,  so  mum  it  is — 
but  I've  a  plan." 

"Belay,  Job!"  exclaimed  Diccon.  "Easy  all.  Yon- 
der she  Cometh." 

Sure  enough,  I  saw  Joanna  descend  the  ladder  from 
the  poop  and  come  mincing  across  the  deck  towards  us. 

"Hola,  Belvedere,  mon  Capitan!"  said  she,  glancing 
about  her  quick-eyed.  "You  keep  your  ship  very  foul, 
yes.  Dirt  to  dirt! — ah?  But  I  am  aboard  and  this 
shall  be  amended — look  to  it.  And  your  mizzen  yard 
is  sprung;  down  with  it  and  sway  up  another " 

"Aye,  aye,  Jo,"  said  Belvedere,  nodding,  "It  shall 
be  done " 

"MananaT'  quoth  she,  frowning.  "This  doth  not 
suit  when  I  am  aboard,  no !  The  new  yard  must  be 
rigged  now,  at  once,  for  we  sail  with  the  flood — voila!'* 

"Sail,  Jo?"  said  Belvedere,  staring.    "Can't  be,  Jo!" 

"And  wherefore?" 

"Why — we  be  short  o'  water,  for  one  thing." 

"Ah — bah,  we  shall  take  all  we  want  from  other 
ships !" 

"And  the  lads  be  set,  heart  and  soul,  on  a  few  days 
ashore." 

"But  then — I  am  set,  my  heart,  my  soul,  on  heaving 
anchor  so  soon  as  the  tide  serves.  We  will  sail  with 
the  flood.  Now  see  the  new  yard  set  up  and  have  this 
slave  Martin  o'  mine  to  my  cabin."  So  saying,  she 
turned  on  her  heel  and  minced  away,  while  Belvedere 
stood  looking  after  her  and  biting  at  his  thumb.  Job 
scowled  and  Diccon  smiled. 


Aboard  the  Happy  Despatch      69 

"So — ^ho !"  quoth  he.  "Captain  Jo  says  we  sail,  and 
sail  it  is,  hey?" 

"Blind  you !"  cried  Belvedere,  turning  on  him  in  a 
fury.  "Go  forward  and  turn  out  two  o'  the  lads  to 
draw  this  carcass  aft !"  Here  bestowing  a  final  kick  on 
me,  he  swaggered  away. 

"Sail  wi'  the  flood,  is  it?"  growled  Job.  "And  us 
wi'  scarce  any  water  and  half  on  us  rotten  wi'  scurvy 
or  calenture,  an'  no  luck  this  cruise,  neither!  *Sail 
wi'  the  flood,'  says  she — *be  damned,'  says  I.  By 
hookey,  but  I  marvel  she  lives ;  I  wonder  no  one  don't 
snuff^  her  out  for  good  an'  all — aye,  bum  me  but 
I  do!" 

"Because  you're  a  fool.  Job,  and  don't  know  her 
like  we  do.  She's  'La  Culebra,'  and  why?  Because 
she's  quick  as  any  snake  and  as  deadly.  Besides,  she's 
our  luck  and  luck  she'll  bring  us ;  she  always  do.  What- 
ever ship  she's  aboard  of  has  all  the  luck,  wind, 
weather,  and — what's  better,  rich  prizes.  Job.  I  know 
it  and  the  lads  forrad  know  it,  and  Belvedere  he  knows 
it  and  is  mighty  feared  of  her  and  small  blame  either — 
aye,  and  mayhap  you'll  be  afeard  of  her  when  you  know 
her  better.  *She's  only  a  woman,'  says  you.  'True,' 
says  I.  But  in  all  this  here  world  there  ain't  her 
match,  woman  or  man,  and  you  can  lay  to  that,  my 
lad." 

Now  the  ropes  that  secured  me  being  very  tight, 
began  to  cause  me  no  little  pain,  insomuch  that  I 
besought  the  man  Diccon  to  loose  me  a  little,  where- 
upon he  made  as  to  comply,  but  Job,  who  it  seemed 
was  quartermaster,  and  new  in  the  office,  would  have 
none  of  it  but  cursed  me  vehemently  instead,  and  hail- 
ing two  men  had  me  forthwith  dragged  aft  to  a  small 
cabin  under  the  poop  and  there  (having  abused  and 
cuffed  me  to  his  heart's  content)  left  me. 

And  in  right  woful  plight  was  I,  with  clothes  nigh 
torn  off  and  myself  direly  bruised  from  head  to  foot, 


70      Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

and  what  with  this  and  the  cramping  strictness  of  my 
bonds  I  could  come  by  no  easement,  turn  and  twist  me 
how  I  might.  After  some  while,  as  I  lay  thus  miserable 
and  pain  in  every  joint  of  me,  the  door  opened,  closed 
and  Joanna  stood  above  me. 

"Ah,  ah — you  are  very  foul  o'  blood !"  said  she  in 
bitter  mockery.  "  'Twas  thus  you  spake  me  once, 
Martino,  you'll  mind!  *Very  foul  o'  blood,'  said  you, 
and  I  famishing  with  hunger !  Art  hungry,  Martino .'"' 
she  questioned,  bending  over  me ;  but  meeting  her  look, 
I  scowled  and  held  my  peace.  "Ha,  won't  ye  talk.^ 
Is  the  sullen  fit  on  you?"  said  she,  scowling  also.  "Then 
shall  you  hear  me !  And  first,  know  this :  you  are  mine 
henceforth,  aye — mine!"  So  saying,  she  seated  her- 
self on  the  cushioned  locker  whereby  I  lay  and,  setting 
her  foot  upon  my  breast  and  elbow  on  knee,  leaned 
above  me,  dimpled  chin  on  fist,  staring  down  on  me  with 
her  sombre  gaze.  "You  are  mine,"  said  she  again,  "to 
use  as  I  will,  to  exalt  or  cast  down.  I  can  bestow  on 
ye  life  or  very  evil  death.  By  my  will  ye  are  alive; 
when  I  will  you  must  surely  die.  Your  wants,  your 
every  need  must  you  look  to  me  for — so  am  I  your 
goddess  and  ruler  of  your  destiny,  yes !  Ah,  had  you 
been  more  of  man  and  less  of  fish,  I  had  made  you 
captain  of  this  ship,  and  loved  you,  Martino,  loved 

you !" 

"Aye,"  cried  I  bitterly,  "until  you  wearied  of  me 
as  you  have  wearied  of  this  rogue  Belvedere,  it  seems 

— aye,  and  God  knoweth  how  many  more ^" 

"Oh,  la-la,  fool — these  I  never  loved " 

"Why,  then,"  said  I,  "the  more  your  shame!" 
As  I  uttered  the  words,  she  leaned  down  and  smote 
me  lightly  upon  my  swollen  lips  and  so  left  me.  But 
presently  back  she  came  and  with  her  three  of  the 
crew,  bearing  chains,  etc.,  which  fellows  at  her  com- 
mand (albeit  they  were  something  gone  in  liquor)  forth- 
with clapped  me  up  in  these  fetters  and  thereafter  cut 


Aboard  the  Happy  Despatch      71 

away  the  irksome  cords  that  bound  me.  Whiles  this 
was  a-doing,  she  (quick  to  mark  their  condition)  lashed 
them  with  her  tongue,  giving  them  "loathly  sots," 
"drunken  swine,"  "scum  o'  the  world"  and  the  like 
epithets,  all  of  the  which  they  took  in  mighty  humble 
fashion,  knuckling  their  foreheads,  ducking  their 
heads  with  never  a  word  and  mighty  glad  to  stumble 
away  and  be  gone  at  flick  of  her  contemptuous  finger. 

"So  here's  you,  Martino,"  said  she,  when  we  were 
alone,  "here's  you  in  chains  that  might  have  been  free, 
and  here's  myself  very  determined  you  shall  learn  some- 
what of  shame  and  be  slave  at  command  of  such  beasts 
as  yonder.  D'ye  hear,  fool,  d'ye  hear?"  But  I  heed- 
ing her  none  at  all,  she  kicked  me  viciously  so  that  I 
flinched  (despite  myself)  for  I  was  very  sore;  whereat 
she  gave  a  little  laugh: 

"Ah,  ah!"  said  she,  nodding.  "If  I  did  not  love 
you,  now  would  I  watch  you  die !  But  the  time  is  not 
yet — no.  When  that  hour  is,  then,  if  I  am  not  your 
death,  you  shall  be  mine — death  for  one  or  other  or 
both,  for  I " 

She  sprang  to  her  feet  as  from  the  deck  above  came 
the  uproar  of  sudden  brawl  with  drunken  outcry. 

"Ah,  Madre  de  Dios !"  said  she,  stamping  in  her 
anger.  "Oh,  these  bestial  things  called  men!"  which 
said,  she  whipped  a  pistol  from  her  belt,  cocked  it  and 
was  gone  with  a  quick,  light  patter  of  feet.  Suddenly 
I  heard  the  growing  tumult  overhead  split  and  smitten 
to  silence  by  a  pistol-shot,  followed  by  a  wailing  cry 
that  was  drowned  in  the  tramp  of  feet  away  forward. 

As  for  me,  my  poor  body,  freed  of  its  bonds,  found 
great  easement  thereby  (and  despite  my  irons)  so  that 
I  presently  laid  myself  down  on  one  of  these  cushioned 
lockers  (and  indeed,  though  small,  this  cabin  was 
rarely  luxurious  and  fine)  but  scarce  had  I  stretched 
my  aching  limbs  than  the  door  opened  and  a  man 
entered. 


72      Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

And  surely  never  in  all  this  world  was  stranger 
creature  to  be  seen.  Gaunt  and  very  lean  was  he  of 
person  and  very  well  bedight  from  heel  to  headj  but 
the  face  that  peered  out  'twixt  the  curls  of  his  great 
periwig  lacked  for  an  eye  and  was  seamed  and  seared 
with  scars  in  horrid  fashion;  moreover  the  figure 
beneath  his  rich,  wide-skirted  coat  seemed  warped  and 
twisted  beyond  nature;  yet  as  he  stood  viewing  me 
with  his  solitary  eye  (this  grey  and  very  quick  and 
bright)  there  was  that  in  his  appearance  that  some- 
how took  my  fancy. 

"What,  messmate/'  quoth  he,  in  full,  hearty  voice, 
advancing  with  a  shambhng  limp,  "here  cometh  one 
to  lay  alongside  you  awhile,  old  Resolution  Day,  friend, 
mate  o'  this  here  noble  ship  Happy  Despatch,  comrade, 
and  that  same  myself,  look'ee!" 

But  having  no  mind  to  truck  with  him  or  any  of  this 
evil  company,  I  bid  him  leave  me  be  and  cursed  him 
roundly  for  the  pirate-rogue  he  was. 

"Pirate,"  said  he,  no  whit  abashed  at  my  outburst. 
"Why,  pirate  it  is.  But  look'ee,  there  never  was  pirate 
the  like  o'  me  for  holiness — 'specially  o'  Sundays! 
Lord  love  you,  there's  never  a  parson  or  divine,  high 
church  or  low,  a  patch  on  me  for  real  holiness — 
'specially  o'  Sundays.  So  do  I  pray  when  cometh  my 
time  to  die,  be  it  in  bed  or  boots,  by  sickness,  bullet 
or  noose,  it  may  chance  of  a  Sunday.  And  then  again, 
why  not  a  pirate?  What  o'  yourself,  friend?  There's 
a  regular  fire-and-blood,  skull-and-bones  look  about  ye 
as  liketh  me  very  well.  And  there  be  many  worse  things 
than  a  mere  pirate,  brother.  And  what?  You'll  go 
for  to  ask.  Answer  I — Spanishers,  Papishers,  the  Pope 
o'  Rome  and  his  bloody  Inquisition,  of  which  last  I 
have  lasting  experience,  camarado — aye,  I  have  I !" 

"Ah?"  said  I,  sitting  up.     "You  have  suffered  the 
torture?" 

"Comrade,  look  at  me!     The  fire,  the  pulley,  the 


Aboard  the  Happy  Despatch      73 

rack,  the  wheel,  the  water — there's  no  devilment  they 
ha'n't  tried  on  this  poor  carcase  o'  mine  and  all  by 
reason  of  a  Spanish  nun  as  bore  away  with  my 
brother !" 

"Your  brother?" 

"Aye,  but  'twas  me  she  loved,  for  I  was  younger 
then  and  something  kinder  to  the  eye.  So  him  they 
burned,  her  they  buried  alive  and  me  they  tormented 
into  the  wrack  ye  see.  But  I  escaped  wi'  my  life,  the 
Lord  delivered  me  out  o'  their  bloody  hands,  which  was 
an  ill  thing  for  them,  d'ye  see,  for  though  I  lack  my 
starboard  blinker  and  am  somewhat  crank  i'  my  spars 
alow  and  aloft,  I  can  yet  ply  whinger  and  pull  trigger 
rare  and  apt  enough  for  the  rooting  out  of  evil.  And 
where  a  fairer  field  for  the  aforesaid  rooting  out  o' 
Papishers,  Portingales,  and  the  like  evil  men  than  this 
good  ship,  the  Happy  Despatch?  Aha,  messmate, 
there's  many  such  as  I've  despatched  hot-foot  to  their 
master  Sathanas,  'twixt  then  and  now.  And  so  'tis  I'm 
a  pirate  and  so  being  so  do  I  sing  along  o'  David; 
'Blessed  be  the  Lord  my  strength  that  teacheth  my 
hands  to  war  and  my  fingers  to  fight.'  A  rare  gift  o' 
words  had  Davy  and  for  curses  none  may  compare." 
Hereupon,  seating  himself  on  the  locker  over  against 
me,  he  thrust  a  hand  into  his  great  side  pocket  and 
brought  thence  a  hank  of  small-cord,  a  silver-mounted 
pistol  and  lastly  a  small,  much  battered  volume. 

"Look'ee,  comrade,"  said  he,  tapping  the  worn 
covers  with  bony  finger,  "the  Bible  is  a  mighty  fine 
book  to  fight  by;  to  stir  up  a  man  for  battle,  murder 
or  sudden  death  it  hath  no  equal  and  for  keeping  his 
hate  agin  his  enemies  ever  a-buming,  there  is  no  book 

written  or  ever  will  be " 

"You  talk  blasphemy !"  quoth  I. 
"Avast,  avast!"  cried  he.     "Here's  no  blasphemy, 
thought   or  word.     I  love  this   little   Bible  o'  mine; 
His  meat  and  drink  to  me,  the  friend  o'  my  solitude, 


74      Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

my  solace  in  pain,  my  joy  for  ever  and  alway.  Some 
men,  being  crossed  in  fortune,  hopes,  ambition  or  love, 
take  'em  to  drink  and  the  like  vanities.  I,  that  suffered 
all  this,  took  to  the  Bible  and  found  all  my  needs 
betwixt  the  covers  o'  this  little  book.  For  where  shall 
a  wronged  man  find  such  a  comfortable  assurance  as 
this?  Hark  ye  what  saith  our  Psalmist!"  Turning 
over  a  page  or  so  and  lifting  one  knotted  fist  aloft. 
Resolution  Day  read  this: 

"  *I  shall  bathe  my  footsteps  in  the  blood  of  mine 
enemies  and  the  tongues  of  the  dogs  shall  be  red  with 
the  same!'  The  which,"  said  he,  rolling  his  bright 
eye  at  me,  "the  which  is  a  sweet,  pretty  fancy  for  the 
solace  of  one  hath  endured  as  much  as  I.  Aye,  a  noble 
book  is  Psalms.  I  know  it  by  heart.  List  ye  to  this, 
now!  'The  wicked  shall  perish  and  the  enemies  of  the 
Lord  be  as  the  fat  of  rams,  as  smoke  shall  they  con- 
sume away.'  Brother,  Pve  watched  'em  so  consume 
many's  the  time  and  been  the  better  for't.  Hark'ee 
again:  *They  shall  be  as  chaff  before  the  wind.  As  a 
snail  that  melteth  they  shall  every  one  pass  away. 
Break  their  teeth  in  their  mouth,  O  God !'  saith  Davy, 
aye  and  belike  did  it  too,  and  so  have  I  ere  now  with 
a  pistol  butt.  I  mind  once  when  we  stormed  Santa 
Catalina  and  the  women  and  children  a-screaming  in 
the  church  which  chanced  to  be  afire,  I  took  out  my 
Bible  here  and  read  these  comfortable  words:  'The 
righteous  shall  rejoice  when  he  seeth  the  vengeanqe, 
he  shall  wash  his  feet  in  the  blood  of  the  wicked  so 
that  a  man  shall  say:  Verily  there  is  a  reward  for  the 
righteous.'  Aha,  brother,  for  filling  a  man  wi'  a  gust 
of  hate  and  battle,  there's  nought  like  the  Bible.  And 
when  a  curse  is  wanted,  give  me  David.  Davy  was  a 
man  of  his  hands,  moreover,  and  so  are  you,  friend. 
I  watched  ye  fight  on  the  sand-spit  yonder;  twelve  to 
one  is  long  enough  odds  for  any  man,  and  yet  here's 
Rve  o'  the  twelve  wi'  bones  broke  and  never  a  one  but  wi' 


Aboard  the  Happy  Despatch     75 

some  mark  o'  your  handiwork  to  show,  which  is  vastly 
well,  comrade.    Joanna's  choice  is  mine,  messmate " 

"How  d'ye  mean  ?"  I  demanded,  scowling,  whereupon 
he  beamed  on  me  friendly-wise  and  blinked  his  soli- 
tary eye. 

"There  is  no  man  aboard  this  ship,"  quoth  he,  nod- 
ding again,  "no,  not  one  as  could  keep  twelve  in  play  so 
long,  friend,  saving  only  Black  Pompey " 

"I've  heard  his  name  already,"  said  I,  "what  like 
is  he  and  who?" 

"A  poor  heathen,  comrade,  a  blackamoor,  friend,  a 
child  of  Beelzebub  abounding  in  blood,  brother — being 
torturer,  executioner  and  cook  and  notable  in  each 
several  office.  A  man  small  of  soul  yet  great  of  body, 
being  nought  but  a  poor,  black  heathen,  as  I  say.  And 
ashore  yonder  you  shall  hear  our  Christian  messmates 
a-quarrelling  over  their  rum  as  is  the  way  o'  your 
Christians  hereabouts — hark  to  'em!" 

The  Happy  Despatch  lay  anchored  hard  by  the 
reef  and  rode  so  near  the  island  that,  glancing  from 
one  of  her  stem-gallery  windows  I  might  behold 
Deliverance  Beach  shining  under  the  moon  and  a  great 
fire  blazing,  round  which  danced  divers  of  the  crew, 
filling  the  night  with  lewd,  unholy  riot  of  drunken 
singing  and  shouts  that  grew  ever  more  fierce  and 
threatening.  I  was  gazing  upon  this  scene  and 
Resolution  Day  beside  me,  when  the  door  was  flung 
open  and  Job  the  quartermaster  appeared. 

"Cap'n  Jo  wants  ye  ashore  wi'  her  1"  said  he,  beckon- 
ing to  Resolution,  who  nodded  and  thrusting  Bible  into 
pocket,  took  thence  the  silver-mounted  pistrl,  examined 
flint  and  priming  and  thrusting  it  into  his  belt,  fol- 
lowed Job  out  of  the  cabin,  locking  the  door  upon  me. 
Thereafter  I  was  presently  aware  of  a  boat  putting 
off'  from  the  ship  and  craning  my  neck,  saw  it  was 
rowed  by  Resolution  with  Joanna  in  the  stem  sheets, 
a  naked  sword  across  her  knees ;  and  my  gaze  held  by 


76      Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

the  glimmer  of  this  steel,  I  watched  them  row  into  the 
lagoon  and  so  to  that  spit  of  sand  opposite  Skeleton 
Cove.  I  saw  the  hateful  glitter  of  this  deadly  steel 
as  Joanna  leapt  lightly  ashore,  followed  more  slowly 
by  Resolution.  But  suddenly  divers  of  the  roguej; 
about  the  fire,  beholding  Joanna  as  she  advanced 
against  them  thus,  sword  in  hand,  cried  out  a  warning 
to  their  fellows,  who,  ceasing  from  their  strife,  immedi- 
ately betook  them  to  their  heels,  fleeing  before  her  like 
6o  many  mischievous  lads ;  marvelling,  I  watched  until 
she  had  pursued  them  out  of  my  view. 

Hereupon  I  took  to  an  examination  of  my  fetters, 
link  by  link,  but  finding  them  mighty  secure,  laid  me 
down  as  comfortably  as  they  would  allow  and  fell  to 
pondering  my  desperate  situation,  and  seeing  no  way 
out  herefrom  (and  study  how  I  might)  I  began  to 
despond ;  but  presently,  bethinking  me  of  Don  Federi^o 
and  judging  his  case  more  hopeless  than  mine  (if  this 
could  well  be),  and  further,  remembering  how,  but  for 
me,  he  would  by  death  have  delivered  himself,  I  (that 
had  not  prayed  this  many  a  long  month)  now  peti- 
tioned the  God  to  whom  nothing  is  impossible  that  He 
would  save  alive  this  noble  gentleman  of  Spain,  and 
thus,  in  his  sorrows,  forgot  mine  own  awhile. 

All  at  once  I  started  up,  full  of  sudden  great  and 
joyful  content  in  all  that  was,  or  might  be,  beholding 
in  m3'  fetters  the  very  Providence  of  God  (as  it  were) 
and  in  my  captivity  His  answer  to  my  so  oft-repeated 
prayer;  for  now  I  remembered  that  with  the  flood  this 
ship  was  to  sail  for  Nombre  de  Dios,  where,  safe- 
dungeoned  and  secure  against  my  coming  lay  my  hated 
foe  and  deadly  enemy,  Richard  Brandon.  And  now,  in 
my  vain  and  self -deluding  pride  (my  heart  firm-set  on 
this  miserable  man,  his  undoing  and  destruction)  I  cast 
me  down  on  my  knees  and  babbled  forth  my  passionate 
gratitude  to  Him  that  is  from  everlasting  to  ever- 
lasting the  God  of  Mercy,  Love  and  Forgiveness. 


CHAPTER  XI 

How  I  Fought  in  the  Dark  With  One  Pompey,  a 
Great  Blackamoor 

I  WAS  yet  upon  my  knees  when  came  Job  the  quarter- 
master with  two  men  who,  at  his  command,  dragged 
me  to  my  feet  and  out  upon  deck ;  cursing  my  hamper- 
ing fetters,  they  tumbled  me  down  the  quarter-ladder 
and  so  down  into  the  waist  of  the  ship. 

Now  as  I  went  I  kept  my  eyes  upraised  to  the  serene 
majesty  of  the  heavens;  the  moon  rode  high  amid  a 
glory  of  stars,  and  as  I  looked  it  seemed  I  had  never 
seen  them  so  bright  and  wonderful,  never  felt  the  air 
so  good  and  sweet  upon  my  lips. 

Being  come  to  the  fore-hatchway  I  checked  there, 
despite  my  captors'  buffets  and  curses,  to  cast  a  final, 
long  look  up,  above  and  round  about  me,  for  I  had 
a  sudden  uneasy  feeling,  a  dreadful  suspicion  that 
once  I  descended  into  the  gloom  below  I  never  should 
come  forth  alive.  So  I  stared  eagerly  upon  these  ever- 
restless  waters,  so  bright  beneath  the  moon,  upon  the 
white  sands  of  Deliverance  Beach,  on  lofty  palmetto 
and  bush-girt  cliff  and  then,  shivering  despite  all  my 
resolution,  I  suffered  them  to  drag  me  down  into  that 
place  of  shadows. 

I  remember  a  sharp,  acrid  smell,  the  reek  of  bilge 
and  thick,  mephitic  air  as  I  stumbled  on  betwixt  my 
captors  through  this  foul-breathing  dimness  until  a 
door  creaked,  yawning  suddenly  upon  a  denser  black- 
ness, into  which  I  was  thrust  so  suddenly  that  I  fell, 


j8      Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

clashing  my  fetters,  and  lying  thus,  heard  the  door 
slammed  and  bolted. 

So  here  lay  I  in  sweating,  breathless  expectation  of 
I  knew  not  w^hat,  my  ears  on  the  stretch,  my  manacled 
hands  tight-clenched  and  every  nerve  a-tingle  with  this 
dreadful  uncertainty.  For  a  great  while  it  seemed 
I  lay  thus,  my  ears  full  of  strange  noises,  faint  sigh- 
ings,  unchancy  rustlings  and  a  thousand  sly,  unac- 
countable sounds  that  at  first  caused  me  direful  appre- 
hensions but  which,  as  I  grew  more  calm,  I  knew  for 
no  more  than  the  flow  of  the  tide  and  the  working  of 
the  vessel's  timbers  as  she  strained  at  her  anchors. 
All  at  once  I  sat  up,  crouching  in  the  dark,  as  from 
somewhere  about  me,  soft  yet  plain  to  hear,  came  a 
sound  that  told  me  some  one  was  stealthily  drawing 
the  bolts  of  the  door.  Rising  to  my  feet  I  stood, 
shackled  fists  clenched,  ready  to  leap  and  smite  so  soon 
as  chance  should  offer.     Then  came  a  hissing  whisper: 

"Easy  all,  brother!  Soft  it  is,  comrade!  'Tis  me, 
messmate,  old  Resolution,  friend,  come  to  loose  thy 
bilboes,  for  fair  is  fair.  Ha,  'tis  plaguey  dark,  the 
pit  o'  Acheron  ain't  blacker,  where  d'ye  lay — speak 
soft  for  there's  ears  a-hearkening  very  nigh  us." 

In  the  dark  a  hand  touched  me  and  then  I  felt  the 
muzzle  of  a  pistol  at  my  throat. 

"No  tricks,  lad — no  running  for't  if  I  loose  ye — 
you'll  bide  here — come  life,  come  death?     Is't  agreed.''" 

"It  is!"  I  whispered.  Whereupon  and  with  no  more 
ado,  he  freed  me  from  my  gyves,  making  scarcely  any 
sound,  despite  the  dark. 

"I'll  take  these  wi'  me,  friend  and — my  finger's  on 
trigger." 

"Resolution,  how  am  I  to  die?" 

"Black  Pompey!"  came  the  hissing  whisper. 

"Hath  Joanna  ordered  this?" 

"Never  think  it,  mate — she's  ashore  and  I  swam 
aboard,  having  my  suspicions." 


How  I  Fought  a  Great  Blackamoor    79 

"Resolution,  a  dying  man  thanks  you  heartily. 
Surely  never,  after  all,  was  there  pirate  the  like  o'  you 
for  holiness.  Could  I  but  find  some  weapon  to  my 
defence  now — a  knife,  say."  In  the  dark  came  a 
groping  hand  that  found  mine  and  was  gone  again,  but 
in  my  grasp  was  a  stout,  broad-bladed  knife. 

"  'Let  the  heathen  rage,'  saith  Holy  Writ,  so  rage  it 
is,  says  I,  only  smite  first,  brother  and  smite — hard. 
And  'ware  the  starboard  scuttle!"  Hereafter  was  the 
rustle  of  his  stealthy  departure,  the  soft  noise  of  bolts, 
and  silence. 

And  now  in  this  pitchy  gloom,  wondering  what  and 
where  this  scuttle  might  be,  I  crouched,  a  very  wild 
and  desperate  creature,  peering  into  the  gloom  and 
starting  at  every  sound;  thus  presently  I  heard  the 
scrape  of  a  viol  somewhere  beyond  the  bulkheads  that 
shut  me  in  and  therewith  a  voice  that  sang,  the  words 
very  clear  and  distinct: 

*'0h,  Moll  she  lives  in  Deptford  town, 
In  Deptford  town  lives  she; 
Let  maid  be  white  or  black  or  brown, 
Still  Moll's  the  lass  for  me; 
Sweet  Moll  as  lives  in  Deptford  town, 
Yo-ho,  shipmates,  for  Deptford  town, 
'Tis  there  as  I  would  be." 

Mingled  mth  this  singing  I  thought  to  hear  the 
heavy  thud  of  an  unshod  foot  on  the  planking  above 
my  head,  and  setting  my  teeth  I  gripped  my  knife  in 
sweating  palm. 

But  now  (and  to  my  despair)  came  the  singing 
again  to  drown  all  else,  hearken  how  I  would: 

"Come  whistle,  messmates  all, 
For  a  breeze,  for  a  breeze 
Come  pipe  up,  messmates  all, 
For  a  breeze. 

When   to   Deptford   town   we've  rolled 
Wi'  our  pockets  full  o'  gold; 
Then  our  lasses  we  will  hold 
On  our  knees,  on  our  knees." 


8o      Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

Somewhere  in  the  dark  was  the  sudden,  thin  com- 
plaint of  a  rusty  and  unwilling  bolt,  though  if  this 
were  to  my  right  or  left,  above  or  below  me,  I  could 
not  discover  and  my  passionate  listening  was  once 
more  vain  by  reason  of  this  accursed  rant: 

"Who  will  not  drink  a  glass, 
Let  him  drown,  let  him  drown; 
Who  will  not  drink  a  glass, 
Let  him  drown. 
V/ho  wiU  not  drink  a  glass 
For  to  toast  a  pretty  lass, 
Is  no  more  than  fool  and  ass; 
So  let  him  drown,  let  him  drown!" 

A  sudden  glow  upon  the  gloom  overhead,  a  thin  line 
of  light  that  widened  suddenly  to  a  square  of  blinding 
radiance  and  down  through  the  trap  came  a  lanthom 
grasped  in  a  hugeous,  black  fist  and,  beyond  this,  an 
arm,  a  mighty  shoulder,  two  rows  of  flashing  teeth, 
two  eyes  that  glared  here  and  there,  rolling  in  horrid 
fashion ;  thus  much  I  made  out  as  I  sprang  and,  grap- 
pling this  arm,  smote  upwards  with  my  knife.  The 
lanthom  fell,  clattering,  and  was  extinguished,  but 
beyond  the  writhing,  shapeless  thing  that  blocked  the 
scuttle,  I  might,  ever  and  anon,  behold  a  star  twink- 
ling down  upon  me  where  I  wrestled  with  this  mighty 
arm  that  whirled  me  from  my  feet,  and  swung  me, 
staggering,  to  and  fro  as  I  strove  to  get  home  with 
my  knife  at  the  vast  bulk  that  loomed  above  me.  Once 
and  twice  I  stabbed  vainly,  but  my  third  stroke  seemed 
more  successful,  for  the  animal-like  howl  he  uttered 
nigh  deafened  me;  then  (whether  by  my  efforts  or  his 
own,  I  know  not)  down  he  came  upon  me  headlong, 
dashing  the  good  knife  from  my  grasp  and  whirling  me 
half-stunned  against  the  bulkhead,  and  as  I  leaned 
there,  sick  and  faint,  a  hand  clapped-to  the  scuttle. 
And  now  in  this  dreadful  dark  I  heard  a  deep  and 
gusty  breathing,  like  that  of  some  monstrous  beast, 
heard  this  breathing  checked  while  he  listened  for  me 


How  I  Fought  a  Great  Blackamoor    8i 

and  a  stealthy  rustling  as  he  felt  here  and  there  to 
discover  ray  whereabouts.  But  I  stood  utterly  still, 
breathless  and  sweating,  with  a  horror  of  death  at  this 
great  blackamoor's  hands,  since,  what  with  the  palsy 
of  fear  by  reason  of  the  loss  of  my  knife,  I  did  not 
doubt  but  that  this  monster  would  soon  make  an  end 
of  me   and  in  horrid   fashion. 

Presently  I  heard  him  move  again  and  (judging  by 
the  sound)  creeping  on  hands  and  knees,  therefore  as 
he  approached  I  edged  myself  silently  along  the  bulk- 
head and  thus  (as  I  do  think)  we  made  the  complete 
circuit  of  the  place;  once  it  seemed  he  came  upon  the 
lanthom  and  dashing  it  fiercely  aside,  paused  awhile  to 
listen  again,  and  my  heart  pounding  within  me  so  that 
I  sweated  afresh  lest  he  catch  the  sound  of  it.  And 
sometimes  I  would  hear  the  soft,  slurring  whisper  his 
fingers  made  against  deck  or  bulkhead  where  he  groped 
for  me,  and  once  a  snorting  gasp  and  the  crunch  of 
his  murderous  knife-point  biting  into  wood  and  there- 
after a  hoarse  and  outlandish  muttering.  And  ever 
as  I  crept  thus,  moving  but  when  he  moved,  I  felt 
before  me  with  my  foot,  praying  that  I  might  discover 
my  knife  and,  this  in  hand,  face  him  and  end  matters 
one  way  or  another  and  be  done  with  the  horror.  And 
whiles  we  crawled  thus  round  and  round  within  this 
narrow  space,  ever  and  anon  above  the  stealthy  rustle 
of  his  movements,  above  his  stertorous  breathing  and 
evil  muttering,  above  the  wild  throbbing  of  my  heart 
rose  the  wail  of  the  fiddle  and  the  singing: 

"Who  will  not  kiss  a  maid, 
Let  him  hang,  let  him  hang; 
"Who  fears  to  kiss  a  maid. 
Let  him  hang. 
Who  will  not  kiss  a  maid 
Who  of  woman  is  afraid. 
Is  no  better  than  a  shade; 
So  let  him  hang,  let  him  hang!** 

until  this  foolish,  ranting  ditty  seemed  to  mock  Bte^ 


82      Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

my  breath  came  and  went  to  it,  my  heart  beat  to  it; 
yet  even  so,  I  was  praying  passionately  and  this  my 
prayer,  viz:  That  whoso  was  waiting  above  us  for  my 
death-cry  should  not  again  lift  the  scuttle  lest  I  be 
discovered  to  this  man-thing  that  crept  and  crept  upon 
me  in  the  dark.  Even  as  I  prayed  thus,  the  scuttle 
was  raised  and,  blinded  by  the  sudden  glare  of  a  lan- 
thom,  I  heard  Job's  hoarse  voice: 

"Below  there!  Pompey,  ahoy!  Ha'n't  ye  done  yet 
an'  be  curst?" 

And  suddenly  I  found  in  this  thing  I  had  so  much 
dreaded  the  one  chance  to  my  preservation,  for  I  espied 
the  great  blackamoor  huddled  on  his  knees,  shading 
his  eyes  with  both  hands  from  the  dazzling  light  and 
lying  on  the  deck  before  him  a  long  knife. 

"Oh,  marse  mate,"  he  cried,  "me  done  fin'  no  curs' 
man  hereabouts " 

Then  I  leaped  and  kicking  the  knife  out  of  reach, 
had  him  in  my  grip,  my  right  hand  fast  about  his 
throat.  I  remember  his  roar,  the  crash  of  the  trap 
as  it  closed,  and  after  this  a  grim  and  desperate  scuf- 
fling in  the  dark;  now  he  had  me  down,  rolling  and 
struggling  and  now  we  were  up,  locked  breast  to  breast, 
swaying  and  staggering,  stumbling  and  slipping, 
crashing  into  bulkheads,  panting  and  groaning;  and 
ever  he  beat  and  buffeted  me  with  mighty  fists,  but  my 
head  bowed  low  betwixt  my  arms,  took  small  hurt, 
while  ever  my  two  hands  squeezed  and  wrenched  and 
twisted  at  his  great,  fleshy  throat.  I  remember  an 
awful  gasping  that  changed  to  a  strangling  whistle, 
choked  to  a  feeble,  hissing  whine;  his  great  body  grew 
all  suddenly  lax,  swaying  weakly  in  my  grasp,  and 
then,  as  I  momentarily  eased  my  grip,  with  a  sudden, 
mighty  eff^ort  he  broke  free.  I  heard  a  crash  of  splin- 
tering wood,  felt  a  rush  of  sweet,  pure  air,  saw  him 
reel  out  through  the  shattered  door  and  sink  upon 
his  knees ;  but  as  I  sprang  towards  him  he  was  up  and 


How  I  Fought  a  Great  Blackamoor    83 

fleeing  along  the  deck  amidships,  screaming  as  he  ran. 

All  about  me  was  a  babel  of  shouts  and  cries,  a  rush 
and  trampling  of  feet,  but  I  sped  all  unheeding,  my 
gaze  ever  upon  the  loathed,  fleeing  shape  of  this  vile 
blackamoor.  I  was  hard  on  his  heels  as  he  scrambled 
up  the  quarter-ladder  and  within  a  yard  of  him  as  he 
gained  the  deck,  while  behind  us  in  the  waist  were  men 
who  ran  pell-mell,  filling  the  night  with  raving  clamour 
and  drunken  halloo.  Now  as  I  reached  the  quarter- 
deck, some  one  of  these  hurled  after  me  a  belaying 
pin  and  this,  catching  me  on  the  thigh,  staggered  me 
so  that  I  should  have  fallen  but  for  the  rail ;  so  there 
clung  I  in  a  smother  of  sweat  and  blood  while  great 
moon  and  glittering  stars  span  dizzily;  but  crouched 
before  me  on  his  hams,  almost  within  arm's  reach,  was 
this  accursed  negro  who  gaped  upon  me  with  grinning 
teeth  and  rolled  starting  eyeballs,  his  breath  coming 
in  great,  hoarse  gasps.  And  I  knew  great  joy  to  see 
him  in  no  better  case  than  I,  his  clothes  hanging  in 
blood-stained  tatters  so  that  I  might  see  all  the  mon- 
strous bulk  of  him.  Now,  as  he  caught  his  breath  and 
glared  upon  me,  I  suffered  my  aching  body  to  droop 
lower  and  lower  over  the  rail  like  one  nigh  to  swooning, 
yet  very  watchful  of  his  every  move.  Suddenly  as 
we  faced  each  other  thus,  from  the  deck  below  rose  a 
chorus  of  confused  cries : 

"At  him,  Pompey!  Now's  ye  time,  boy!  Lay  'im 
aboard,  lad,  'e  be  a-swounding !  Ha — out  wi'  his  liver, 
Pompey — at  him,  he's  youm !" 

Heartened  by  these  shouts  and  moreover  seeing  how 
feebly  I  clutched  at  the  quarter-rail,  the  great  negro 
uttered  a  shrill  cry  of  triumph  and  leapt  at  me;  but 
as  he  came  I  sprang  to  meet  his  rush  and  stooping 
swiftly,  caught  him  below  the  knees  and  in  that  same 
moment,  straining  every  nerve,  every  muscle  and  sinew 
to  the  uttermost,  I  rose  up  and  hove  him  whirling 
over  my  shoulder. 


84      Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

I  heard  a  scream,  a  scurry  of  feet,  and  then  the 
thudding  crash  of  his  fall  on  the  deck  below  and 
coming  to  the  rail  I  leaned  down  and  saw  him  lie,  his 
mighty  limbs  hideously  twisted  and  all  about  hkn  men 
who  peered  and  whispered.  But  suddenly  they  found 
their  voices  to  rage  against  me,  shaking  their  fists  and 
brandishing  their  steel ;  a  pistol  flashed  and  roared  and 
the  bullet  hummed  by  my  ear,  but  standing  above  them 
I  laughed  as  a  madman  might,  jibing  at  them  and 
daring  them  to  come  on  how  they  would,  since  indeed 
death  had  no  terrors  for  me  now.  And  doubtless  steel 
or  shot  would  have  ended  me  there  and  then  but  for 
the  man  Diccon  who  quelled  their  clamour  and  held 
them  from  me  b}"^  voice  and  fist: 

"Arrest,  ye  fools — stand  by!"  he  roared.  "Yon 
man  be  the  property  o'  Captain  Jo — 'tis  Joanna's  man 
and  whoso  harms  him  swings " 

"Aye,  but  he've  murdered  Pompey,  ain't  ^e?" 
demanded  Job. 

'*Aye,  aye — an'  so  'e  have,  for  surel"  cried  a 
voice. 

"Well  an'  good — murder's  an  'anging  matter,  ain't 
it.?" 

"An'  so  it  be.  Job — up  wi'  him — ^hang  him — ^hang 
him!" 

"Well  an'  good !"  cried  Job  again.  "  'Ang  'im  we 
will,  lads,  all  on  us,  every  man's  fist  to  the  rope — she 
can't  hang  us  all,  d'ye  see.  You,  Diccon,  where  be 
Belvedere;  he  shall  be  in  it " 

"Safe  fuddled  wi'  rum,  surely.  Lord,  Job,  you  do 
be  takin'  uncommon  risks  for  a  hatful  o'  guineas " 

So  they  took  me  and,  all  unresisting,  I  was  dragged 
amidships  beneath  the  main  yard  where  a  noose  was 
for  my  destruction;  and  though  hanging  had  seemed 
a  clean  death  by  contrast  with  that  I  had  so  lately 
escaped  at  the  obscene  hands  of  this  loathly  blacka- 
moor, yet  none  the  less  a  sick  trembling  took  me  as 


How  I  Fought  a  Great  Blackamoor    85 

I  felt  the  rope  about  my  neck,  insomuch  that  I  sank 
to  my  knees  and  closed  my  eyes. 

Kneeling  thus  and  nigh  to  fainting,  I  heard  a  sud- 
den, quick  patter  of  light-running  feet,  a  gasping  sigh 
and,  glancing  up,  beheld  Job  before  me,  also  upon  his 
knees  and  staring  down  with  wide  and  awful  eyes  at 
an  ever-spreading  stain  that  fouled  the  bosom  of  his 
shirt ;  and  as  he  knelt  thus,  I  saw  above  his  stooping 
head  the  blue  glitter  of  a  long  blade  that  lightly 
tapped  his  brawny  neck. 

"The  noose — here,  Diccon,  here,  yes !" 

As  one  in  a  dream  I  felt  the  rope  lifted  from  me  and 
saw  it  set  about  the  neck  of  Job. 

"So!     Ready  there?     Now— heave  all!" 

I  heard  the  creak  of  the  block,  the  quick  tramp  of 
feet,  a  strangling  cry,  and  Job  the  quartermaster  was 
snatched  aloft  to  kick  and  writhe  and  dangle  against 
the  moon. 

"Diccon,  we  have  lost  our  quartermaster  and  we  sail 
on  the  flood ;  you  are  quartermaster  henceforth,  yes. 
Ha — look — see,  my  Englishman  is  sick!  Dowse  a 
bucket  o'  water  over  him,  then  let  him  be  ironed  and 
take  him  forward  to  the  fo'castle;  he  shall  serve  you 
all  for  sport — but  no  killing,  mind."  Thus  lay  I  to 
be  kicked  and  buffeted  and  half-drowned ;  yet  when  they 
had  shackled  me,  cometh  the  man  Diccon  to  clap  me 
heartily  on  the  shoulder  and  after  him  Resolution  to 
nod  at  me  and  blink  with  his  single,  twinkling  eye: 

"Oh,  friend,"  quoth  he,  "Oh,  brother,  saw  ye  ever 
the  like  of  our  Captain  Jo?  Had  Davy  been  here 
to-day  he  might  perchance  ha'  wrote  a  psalm  to  her." 

That  morning  with  the  flood  tide  we  hove  anchor 
and  the  Happy  Despatch  stood  out  to  sea  and,  as  she 
heeled  to  the  freshening  wind.  Job's  stiffening  body 
lurched  and  swayed  and  twisted  from  the  main  yard* 
And  thus  it  was  I  saw  the  last  of  my  island. 


CHAPTER  Xn 

Of  Battle,  Murder  and  Resolution  Day,  His  Point 

OF  View 

And  now,  nothing  heeding  my  defenceless  situation! 
and  the  further  horrors  that  might  be  mine  aboard  this 
accursed  pirate  ship,  I  nevertheless  knew  great  content 
for  that,  with  every  plunge  and  roll  of  the  vessel,  I 
was  so  much  the  nearer  Nombre  de  Dios  town  where  lay 
prisoned  my  enemy,  Richard  Brandon;  thus  I  made 
of  my  sinful  lust  for  vengeance  a  comfort  to  my  pres- 
ent miseries,  and  plotting  my  enemy's  destruction, 
found  therein  much  solace  and  consolation. 

I  had  crept  into  a  sheltered  corner  and  here,  my 
knees  drawn  up,  my  back  against  one  of  the  weather 
guns,  presently  fell  a-dozing.  I  was  roused  by  a  kick 
to  find  the  ship  rolling  prodigiously,  the  air  full  of 
spray  and  a  piping  wind,  and  Captain  Belvedere 
scowling  down  on  me,  supporting  himself  by  grasping 
a  backstay  in  one  hand  and  flourishing  a  case-bottle 
in  the  other. 

"Ha,  's  fish,  d'ye  live  3^et?"  roared  he  in  drunken 
frenzy.  "Ha'n't  Black  Pompey  done  your  business? 
Why,  then — here's  for  ye!"  And  uttering  a  great 
oath,  he  whirled  up  the  bottle  to  smite;  but,  rolling 
in  beneath  his  arm,  I  staggered  him  with  a  blow  of 
my  fettered  hands,  then  (or  ever  I  might  avoid  him) 
he  had  crushed  me  beneath  his  foot:  and  then  Joanna 
stood  fronting  him.     Pallid,  bare-headed,  wild  of  eye, 


Resolution  Day  87 

she  glared  on  him  and  before  this  look  he  cowered  and 
shrank  away. 

"Drunken  sot!"  cried  she.  "Begone  lest  I  send  ye 
aloft  to  join  yon  carrion!"  And  she  pointed  where 
Job's  stiff  body  plunged  and  swung  and  twisted  at 
the  reeling  yard-arm. 

"Nay,  Jo,  I — I  meant  him  no  harm!"  he  muttered,, 
and  turning  obedient  to  her  gesture,  slunk  away. 

"Ah,  Martino,"  said  Joanna,  stooping  above  me, 
"  'twould  seem  I  must  be  for  ever  saving  your  life  to 
you,  yes.     Are  you  not  grateful,  no?" 

"Aye,  I  am  grateful!"  quoth  I,  remembering  my 
enemy. 

"Then  prove  me  it!" 
"As  how?" 

"Speak  me  gently,  look  kindly  on  me,  for  I  am  sick, 
Martino,  and  shall  be  worse,  I  never  can  abide  a  roll- 
ing ship — 'tis  this  cursed  woman's  body  o'  mine.  So 
to-day  am  I  all  woman  and  yearn  for  tenderness — and 
we  shall  have  more  bad  weather  by  the  look  o'  things ! 
Have  you  enough  knowledge  to  handle  this  ship  in  a 
storm?" 
"Not  I!" 

"  'Tis  pity,"  she  sighed,  "  'tis  pity !  I  would  hang 
Belvedere  and  make  you  captain  in  his  room — ^he 
wearies  me,  and  would  kill  me  were  he  man  enough — ah, 
Mother  of  Heaven,  what  a  sea!"  she  cried,  clinging  to 
me  as  a  great  wave  broke  forward,  filling  the  air  with 
hissing  spray.     "Aid  me  aft,  Martino !" 

Hereupon,  seeing  her  so  haggard  and  faint,  and  the 
decks  deserted  save  for  the  watch,  I  did  as  she  bade  me 
as  well  as  I  might  by  reason  of  my  fetters  and  the 
uneasy  motion  of  the  ship,  and  at  last  (and  no  small 
labour)  I  brought  her  into  the  great  cabin  or  round- 
house under  the  poop.  And  now  she  would  have  me 
bide  and  talk  with  her  awhile,  but  this  I  would  by  no 
means  do. 


88      Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

"And  why  not,  Martino?"  she  questioned  in  soft^ 
wheedling  fashion.  "Am  I  so  hateful  to  you  yet? 
Wherefore  go?'* 

"Because  I  had  rather  lie  in  my  fetters  out  yonder 
at  the  mercy  o'  wind  and  wave!"  said  I. 

Now  at  this  she  fell  to  sudden  weeping  and,  as  sud- 
denly, to  reviling  me  with  bitter  curses. 

"Go  then !"  cried  she,  striking  me  in  her  fury. 
"Keep  your  chains — aye,  I  will  give  ye  to  the  mercy  of 
this  rabble  crew  .  .  .  leave  me!"  The  which  I  did 
forthwith  and,  finding  me  a  sheltered  comer,  cast 
myself  down  there  and  fell  to  hearkening  to  the  rush 
of  the  wind  and  to  watching  the  awful  might  of  the 
racing,  foam-capped  billows.  And,  beholding  these 
manifestations  of  God's  majesty  and  infinite  power, 
of  what  must  I  be  thinking  but  ray  own  small  desires 
and  unworthy  schemes  of  vengeance!  And  bethinking 
me  of  Don  Federigo  (and  him  governor  of  Nombre  de 
Dios)  I  began  planning  how  I  might  use  him  to  my 
purpose.  My  mind  full  of  this,  I  presently  espied  the 
mate,  Resolution  Day,  his  laced  hat  and  noble  periwig 
replaced  by  a  close-fitting  seaman's  bonnet,  making 
his  way  across  the  heaving  deck  as  only  a  seaman 
might  (and  despite  his  limp)  and  as  he  drew  nearer 
I  hailed  and  beckoned  him. 

"Aha,  and  are  ye  there,  camarado !"  said  he.  "  'Tis 
well,  for  I  am  a-seeking  ye." 

"Tell  me.  Resolution,  when  shall  we  sight  Nombre 
deDios.?" 

"Why  look  now,  if  this  wind  holdeth  fair,  we  should 
fetch  up  wi'  it  in  some  five  days  or  thereabouts." 

"Don  Federigo  is  governor  of  the  town,  I  think.'"' 

"Verily  and  so  he  is.     And  what  then.f^" 

"Where  lieth  he  now.?" 

**Safe,  friend,  and  secure.  You  may  lay  ta  that, 
brother!" 

"Could  you  but  get  me  speech  with  him ■'* 


Resolution  Day  89 


«i 


*Not  by  no  manner  o'  means  whatsoever,  amigo! 
And  the  reason  why?     It  being  agin  her  orders." 

"Is  he  well?" 

"Well-ish,  brother — fairly  bobbish,  all  things  con- 
sidered, mate — though  not  such  a  hell-fire,  roaring  lad 
o'  mettle  as  yourself,  comrade.  David  slew  Goliath  o' 
Gath  wi'  a  pebble  and  you  broke  Black  Pompey's  back 
wif  your  naked  hands !  Here's  a  thing  as  liketh  me 
mighty  well !  Wherefore  I  grieve  to  find  ye  such  an 
everlasting  fool,  brother." 

"How  so,  Resolution?" 

"When  eyes  look  sweetness — why  scowl?  When  lips 
woo  kisses — wherefore  take  a  blow  instead?  When 
comfort  and  all  manner  o'  delights  be  offered — why 
choose  misery  forrard  and  the  bloody  rogues  o'  her 
fo'castle?  For  'tis  there  as  you  be  going,  mate — aye, 
verily !"  Here  he  set  a  silver  whistle  to  his  mouth  and 
blew  a  shrill  blast  at  which  signal  came  two  fellows 
who,  at  his  command,  dragged  me  to  my  feet  and  so 
away  forward. 

Thus  true  to  her  word,  Joanna  banished  me  from 
the  gilded  luxury  of  cabin  and  roundhouse  and  gave 
me  up  to  the  rogues  forward,  a  wild  and  lawless  com- 
pany of  divers  races  and  conditions  so  that  they 
seemed  the  very  scum  of  the  world,  and  yet  here,  in 
this  reeking  forecastle,  each  and  every  of  them  my  mas- 
ter. 

Nor  can  any  words  of  mine  justly  paint  the  wild  riot 
and  brutal  licence  of  this  crowded  'tween-deck,  foul 
with  the  reek  of  tobacco  and  a  thousand  worse  savours, 
its  tiers  on  tiers  of  dark  and  noisome  berths  where  men 
snored  or  thrust  forth  shaggy  heads  to  rave  at  and 
curse  each  other;  its  blotched  and  narrow  table  amid- 
ships, its  rows  of  battered  sea  chests,  its  loathsome 
floor;  a  place  of  never-ceasing  stir  and  tumult,  dim- 
lighted  by  sputtering  lamps. 

My   advent   was   hailed   by   an   exultant   roar   and 


90      Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

they  were  all  about  me,  an  evil  company  in  their  rage 
and  draggled  finery;  here  were  faces  scarred  by  bat- 
tles and  brutalised  by  their  own  misdeeds,  this  unlovely 
company  now  thrust  upon  me  with  pointing  fingers, 
nudging  elbows,  scowls  and  mocking  laughter. 

"What  now — is  he  to  us,  then?"  cried  one.  "Hath 
Jo  sent  us  her  plaything?" 

"Aye,  lads,  and  verily !"  answered  Resolution. 
"Here's  him  as  she  calleth  Martin  O;  here's  him  as 
out-fought  Pompey " 

"Aye,  aye — remember  Pompey!"  cried  a  bedizened 
rogue  pushing  towards  me,  hand  on  knife. 

"Why,  truly,  Thomas  Ford,  remember  Pompey,  but 
forget  not  Job  as  died  so  sudden — in  the  midst  o'  life 
he  were  in  death,  were  Job!  So  hands  off  your  knife, 
Thomas  Ford;  Captain  Jo  sendeth  Martin  for  your 
sport  and  what  not,  d'ye  see,  but  when  he  dieth  'tis 
herself  will  do  the  killing!" 

Left  alone  and  helpless  in  my  fetters,  I  stood  with 
bowed  head,  nothing  heeding  them  for  all  their  bait- 
ing of  me,  whereupon  the  man  Ford,  catching  up  a 
pipkin  that  chanced  handy,  cast  upon  me  some  vileness 
or  other  the  which  was  the  signal  for  others  to  do  like- 
wise so  that  I  was  soon  miserably  wet  from  head  ta 
foot  and  this  I  endured  without  complaint.  But  now 
they  betook  them  to  tormenting  me  with  all  manner 
of  missiles,  joying  to  see  me  blench  and  stagger  until, 
stung  to  a  frenzy  of  rage  and  being  within  reach  of 
the  man  Ford  (my  chief  est  tormentor)  I  sprang  upon 
him  and  fell  to  belabouring  him  heartily  with  the  chain 
that  swung  betwixt  my  wrists,  but  an  unseen  foot 
tripped  me  heavily  and  ere  I  could  struggle  free  they 
were  upon  me.  But  now  as  they  kicked  and  trampled 
and  buffeted  me,  I  once  again  called  upon  God  with 
a  loud  voice,  and  this  was  the  manner  of  my  supplica- 
tion: 

"Oh,  God  of  Justice,  for  the  pains  I  now  endure* 


Resolution  Day  91 

give  to  me  vengeance — vengeance,  Oh,  God,  upon  mine 
enemy !" 

And  hearing  this  passionate  outcry,  my  tormentors 
presently  drew  away  from  me,  staring  on  me  where  I 
lay  and  muttering  together  like  men  greatly  amazed, 
and  left  me  in  peace  awhile. 

Very  much  might  I  tell  of  all  I  underwent  at  this 
time,  of  the  shameful  indignities,  tricks  and  deviltries 
of  which  I  was  victim,  so  that  there  were  times  when 
I  cursed  my  Maker  and  all  in  this  world  save  only  my 
miserable  self — I,  that  by  reason  of  my  hate  and 
vengeful  pursuit  of  my  enemy,  had  surely  brought  all 
these  evils  on  my  own  head.  Yet  every  shame  I 
endured,  every  pain  I  suffered  did  but  nerve  me  anew 
to  this  long-sought  vengeance  on  him  that  (in  my 
blind  folly)  I  cursed  as  the  author  of  these  my  suffer- 
ings. 

But  indeed  little  gust  have  I  to  write  of  these  things ; 
moreover  I  began  to  fear  that  my  narrative  grow  to 
inordinate  length,  so  will  I  incontinent  pass  on  to 
that  time  when  came  the  quartermaster  Diccon  with 
Resolution  Day  to  deliver  me  from  my  hateful 
prison. 

And  joy  unspeakable  was  it  to  breathe  the  sweet, 
clean  air,  to  hear  the  piping  song  of  the  wind  and  the 
hiss  of  the  tumbling  billows,  to  feel  the  lift  and  roll  of 
the  great  ship  as  she  ploughed  her  course  through 
seas  blue  as  any  sapphire;  though  indeed  small  leisure 
had  I  for  the  glory  of  it  all,  as  they  hurried  me  aft. 

"What  now?'*  I  enquired  hopelessly.  "What  new 
deviltries  have  ye  in  store?" 

"  'Tis  Jo !"  answered  Diccon.  "  'Tis  Joanna,  my 
bully!"  and  here  he  leered  and  nodded.  "Joanna  is 
sick  and  groweth  womanish " 

"And  look'ee  now,  friend,"  quoth  Resolution,  clap- 
ping me  on  the  back,  "you'll  mind  'twas  old  Resolu- 
tion as  was  your  stay  and   comfort  by  means   of   a 


92      Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

knife  i'  the  matter  o'  the  heathen  Pompey,  comrade? 
You'll  not  forget  old  Resolution,  shipmate?" 

"And  me,"  quoth  Diccon,  patting  my  other  shoul- 
der. "I  stood  your  friend  so  much  as  I  might — aye, 
did  I!" 

Thus  talked  they,  first  in  one  ear  then  in  the  other, 
picturing  to  my  imagination  favours  done  me,  real  or 
imagined,  until,  to  hear  them,  they  might  have  been 
my  guardian  angels;  while  I  went  between  them  silent 
and  mighty  sullen,  casting  about  in  my  mind  as  to 
what  all  this  should  portend. 

So  they  brought  me  aft  to  that  gilded  cabin  the 
which  gave  upon  the  stem-gallery;  and  here,  out- 
stretched on  downy  cushions  and  covered  by  a  rich 
embroidery,  lay  Joanna. 

Perceiving  me,  she  raised  herself  languidly  and 
motioned  the  others  to  be  gone,  whereupon  they  went 
out,  closing  the  door;  whereupon  she  spake,  quick  and 
passionate: 

"I  have  sent  for  you  because  I  am  weak  with  my 
sickness,  Martino,  faint  and  very  solitary  I" 

"And  must  I  weep  therefore?"  said  I,  and  glancing 
from  her  haggard  face  I  beheld  a  small,  ivory-hilted 
dagger  on  the  table  at  her  elbow. 

"Ah,  mercy  of  God — ^how  the  ship  rolls  1"  she 
moaned  feebly  and  then  burst  forth  into  cursings  and 
passionate  revilings  of  ship  and  wind  and  sea  until 
these  futile  ravings  were  hushed  for  lack  of  breath; 
anon  she  fell  to  sighing  and  with  many  wistful  looks, 
but  finding  me  all  unheeding,  fell  foul  of  me  there- 
fore: 

"Ha,  scowl,  beast — scowl — this  becomes  thy  surly 
visage.  I  shall  not  know  thee  else!  Didst  ever  smile 
in  all  thy  sullen  days  or  speak  me  gentle  word  or 
kindly?  Never  to  me,  oh,  never  to  me!  Will  ye  not 
«pare  a  look?  Will  ye  not  speak — ^have  ye  no  word 
to  my  comfort?" 


Resolution  Day  93 

"Why  seek  such  of  me?"  I  demanded  bitterly.  "I 
have  endured  much  of  shame  and  evil  at  your  will " 

"Ah,  fool,"  sighed  she,  "had  you  but  sent  to  me — 
one  word — and  I  had  freed  you  ere  this !  And  I  have 
delivered  you  at  last  because  I  am  sick  and  weak — a 
woman  and  lonely " 

"Why,  there  be  rogues  for  you  a-plenty  hereabouts 
shall  fit  ye  better  than  I " 

"Oh,  'tis  a  foul  tongue  yours,  Martino !" 

"Why,  then,  give  me  a  boat,  cast  me  adrift  and  be 
done  with  me." 

"Ah,  no,  I  would  not  you  should  die  yet " 

"Mayhap  you  will  torture  me  a  little  more  first." 

" 'Tis  for  you  to  choose!  Oh,  Martino,"  she  cried; 
"will  you  not  be  my  friend,  rather?" 

"Never  in  this  world !" 

At  this,  and  all  at  once,  she  was  weeping. 

"Ah,  but  you  are  cruel!"  she  sobbed,  looking  up  at 
me  through  her  tears.  "Have  you  no  pity  for  one 
hath  never  known  aught  of  true  love  or  gentleness? 
Wilt  not  forget  past  scores  and  strive  to  love  me 
— some  little — Martino?" 

Now  hearkening  to  her  piteous  accents,  beholding 
her  thus  transfigured,  her  tear-wet  eyes,  the  pitiful 
tremor  of  her  vivid  lips  and  all  the  pleading  humility 
of  her,  I  was  beyond  all  thought  amazed. 

"Surely,"  said  I,  "surely  you  are  the  strangest 
woman  God  ever  made " 

"WTiy  then,"  said  she,  smiling  through  her  tears, 
**since  God  made  me,  then  sureh' — ah,  surely  is  there 
something  in  me  worthy  your  love?" 

"Love?"  quoth  I,  frowning  and  clenching  my 
shackled  hands.  "  'Tis  an  emptiness — I  am  done  with 
the  folly  henceforth " 

"Ah — ah  .  .  .  and  what  of  your  Joan — your 
Damaris?"  she  questioned  eagerly.  "Do  you  not 
love  her — ^no?" 


94      Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

"No !"  said  I  fiercely.  "My  life  holdeth  but  one 
purpose " 

"What  purpose,  Martino,  what?" 

"Vengeance !" 

"On  whom?'^ 

"  'Tis  no  matter !"  said  I,  and  question  me  how  she 
might  I  would  say  no  more,  whereupon  she  importuned 
me  with  more  talk  of  love  and  the  like  folly  until,  find- 
ing me  heedless  alike  of  her  tears  and  pleadings,  she 
turned  on  me  in  sudden  fury,  vowing  she  would  have 
me  dragged  back  to  the  hell  of  the  forecastle  there  and 
then. 

"I'll  shame  your  cursed  pride,"   cried   she.      "You 

shall  be  rove  to   a   gun   and  flayed  with  whips — " 

But  here,  reaching  forward  or  ever  she  might  stay  me, 
I  caught  up   the  ivory-hilted  dagger: 

"Ah !"  said  she  softly,  staring  where  it  glittered  in 
my  shackled  hand.  "Would  you  kill  me !  Come  then, 
death  have  I  never  feared — strike,  Martino  mio!"  aiid 
she  proffered  her  white  bosom  to  the  blow;  but  I 
laughed  in  fierce  derision. 

"Silly  wench,"  said  I,  "this  steel  is  not  for  you! 
Call  in  your  rogues  and  watch  me  blood  a  few " 

"Ah,  damned  coward,"  she  cried,  "ye  dare  not  slay 
me  lest  Belvedere  torment  ye  to  death — 'tis  your  own 
vile  carcase  you  do  think  of !" 

At  this  I  did  but  laugh  anew,  whereat,  falling  to 
pallid  fury,  she  sprang  upon  me,  smiting  with  passion- 
ate, small  fists,  besetting  me  so  close  that  I  cowered 
and  shrank  back  lest  she  impale  herself  on  the  dagger 
I  grasped.  But  presently  being  wearied  she  turned 
away,  then  staggered  as  the  ship  rolled  to  a  great  sea, 
and  would  have  fallen  but  for  me.  Suddenly,  as  she 
leaned  upon  me  thus,  her  dark  head  pillowed  on  my 
breast,  she  reached  up  and  clasped  her  hands  about 
my  neck  and  with  head  yet  hid  against  me  burst  into  a 
storm  of  fierce  sobbing.     Staring  down  at  this  bowed 


Resolution  Day  95 

head,  feeling  the  pleading  passion  of  these  vital,  soft- 
clasping  hands  and  shaken  by  her  heart-bursting  sobs, 
I  grew  swiftly  abashed  and  discomfited  and  let  the 
dagger  fall  and  lie  unheeded. 

"Ah,  Martino,"  said  she  at  last,  her  voice  muffled 
in  my  breast.  "Surely  nought  is  there  in  all  this 
wretched  world  so  desola^^e  as  a  loveless  woman  1  Can 
you  not — pity  me — a  little,  yes?" 

"Aye,  I  do  pity  you!"  quoth  I,  on  impulse. 
"And  pity  is  kin  to  love,  Martino !     And  I  can  be 
patient,  patient,  yes !" 

"  'Twere  vain !"  said  I.  At  this  she  loosed  me  and 
uttering  a  desolate  cry,  cast  herself  face  down  upon 
her  couch. 

"Be  yourself,"  said  I,  spurning  the  dagger  into  a 
corner;    "rather  w^ould   I  have   your  scorn   and  hate 

than  tears " 

"You  have,"  said  she,  never  stirring.  "I  do  scorn 
you  greatly,  hate  you  mightily,  despise  you  infinitely 

— yet  is  my  love  greater  than  all " 

Suddenly  she  started  to  an  elbow,  dashing  away  her 
tears,  fierce-eyed,  grim-lipped,  all  womanly  tenderness 
gone,  as  from  the  deck  above  rose  the  hoarse  roar  of 
a  speaking  trumpet  and  the  running  of  feet ;  and  now 
was  loud  rapping  on  the  door  that,  opening,  disclosed 
Diccon,  the  quartermaster. 

"By  your  leave,  Captam  Jo,"  cried  he,  "but  your 
luck's  w^i'  us— aye,  is  it !     A  fine  large  ship  a-plying 

to  wind'ard  of  us " 

In  a  moment  Joanna  was  on  her  feet  and  casting  a 
boat-cloak  about  herself  hasted  out  of  the  cabin,  bid- 
ding Diccon  bring  me  along. 

The  wind  had  fallen  light  though  the  seas  yet  ran 
high ;  and  now  being  come  to  the  lofty  poop,  I  might 
behold  our  crowded  decks  where  was  mighty  bustle  and 
to-do,  casting  loose  the  guns,  gettmg  up  shot  and 
powder,  a-setting  out  of  half-pikes,  swords,  pistols  and 


96      Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

the  like  with  a  prodigious  coming  and  going ;  a  heaving 
and  yo-ho-ing  with  shouts  and  boisterous  laughter, 
whiles  ever  and  anon  grimy  hands  pointed  and  all 
heads  were  turned  in  the  one  direction  where,  far  away 
across  the  foam-flecked  billows,  was  a  speck  that  I 
knew  for  a  vessel. 

And  beholding  these  pirate  rogues,  how  joyously 
they  laboured,  with  what  lusty  cheers  they  greeted 
Joanna  and  clambered  aloft  upon  swaying  yards  to  get 
more  sail  on  the  sliip  obedient  to  her  shrill  commands, 
I  knew  a  great  pity  for  this  ship  we  were  pursuing  and 
a  passionate  desire  that  she  might  yet  escape  us.  I 
was  yet  straining  my  eyes  towards  the  chase  and 
grieving  for  the  poor  souls  aboard  her,  when,  at  word 
from  Joanna,  I  was  seized  and  fast  bound  to  a  ring- 
bolt. 

Scarce  was  this  done  than  Joanna  uttered  a  groan 
and,  clapping  her  hand  to  her  head,  called  out  for 
Resolution,  and  with  his  assistance  got  her  down  to 
the  quarter-deck. 

By  afternoon  the  sea  was  well-nigh  calm  and  the 
chase  so  close  that  we  might  behold  her  plainly  enough 
and  the  people  on  her  decks.  Her  topmasts  were  gone, 
doubtless  in  the  great  storm,  and  indeed  a  poor,  bat- 
tered thing  she  looked  as  she  rolled  to  the  long,  oily 
swell.  All  at  once,  out  from  her  main  broke  the 
golden  banner  of  Spain,  whereupon  rose  fierce  outcries 
from  our  rogues;  then  above  the  clamour  rose  the 
voice  of  Diccon : 

"Shout,  lads — shout  for  Roger,  give  tongue  to  Jolly 
Roger!"  and  looking  where  he  pointed  with  glittering 
cutlass,  I  beheld  that  hideous  flag  that  is  hated  by  all 
honest  mariners. 

And  now  began  a  fight  that  yet  indeed  was  no  fight, 
for  seeing  we  had  the  range  of  them  whereas  their  shot 
fell  pitifully  short,  Belvedere  kept  away  and  presently 
let  fly  at  them  with  every  heavy  gun  that  bore,  and. 


Resolution  Day  97 

as  the  smoke  thinned,  I  saw  her  foremast  totter  and 
fall,  and  her  high,  weather-beaten  side  sorely  splin- 
tered by  our  shot.  Having  emptied  her  great  guns 
to  larboard  the  Happy  Despatch  went  about  and  thun- 
dered death  and  destruction  against  them  with  her 
starboard  broadside  and  they  powerless  to  annoy  us 
any  way  in  return.  And  thus  did  we  batter  them  with 
our  great  pieces,  keeping  ever  out  of  their  reach,  so 
that  none  of  all  their  missiles  came  aboard  us,  until 
they,  poor  souls,  seeing  their  case  altogether  hopeless, 
were  fain  to  cry  us  quarter.  Hereupon,  we  stood 
towards  them,  and  as  we  approached  I  could  behold 
the  havoc  our  great  shot  had  wrought  aboard  them. 

The  enemy  having  yielded  to  our  mercy  and  struck 
their  flag,  we  ceased  our  fire,  and  thinking  the  worst 
over  and  done,  I  watched  where  Belvedere  conned  the 
ship  with  voice  and  gesture  and  the  crew,  mighty  quick 
and  dexterous  in  obedience,  proved  themselves  prime 
sailor-men,  despite  their  loose  and  riotous  ways,  so 
that,  coming  down  upon  the  enemy,  we  presently  fell 
aboard  of  them  b}^  the  fore-chains ;  whereupon  up 
scrambled  old  Resolution,  sword  in  hand,  first  of  any 
man  (despite  his  lameness)  and  with  a  cry  of  "Boarders 
away!"  sprang  down  upon  the  Spaniard's  blood- 
spattered  deck  and  his  powder-blackened  rogues  leap- 
ing and  hallooing  on  his  heels. 

And  now  from  these  poor,  deluded  souls  who  had 
cast  themselves  upon  our  mercy  rose  sudden  awful 
shrieks  and  cries  hateful  to  be  heard  as  they  fled  hither 
and  thither  about  their  littered  decks  before  the  pitiless 
steel  that  hacked  and  thrust  and  smote.  Shivering 
and  sweating,  I  must  needs  watch  this  thing  done  until, 
grown  faint  and  sick,  I  bowed  my  face  that  I  might 
see  no  more.  Gradually  these  distressful  sounds  grew 
weaker  and  weaker,  and  dying  away  at  last,  were  lost 
in  the  fierce  laughter  and  jubilant  shouting  of  their 
murderers,  where  they  fell  to  the  work  of  pillage. 


98      Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

But  hearing  sudden  roar  of  alarm,  I  looked  up  to 
see  the  Spanish  ship  was  going  down  rapidly  by  the 
head,  whereupon  was  wild  uproar  and  panic,  some  of 
our  rogues  cutting  away  at  the  grapples  even  before 
their  comrades  had  scrambled  back  to  safety;  so  was 
strife  amongst  them  and  confusion  worse  confounded. 
The  last  man  was  barely  aboard  than  our  yards  were 
braced  round  and  we  stood  away  clear  of  this  sinking 
ship.  Now  presently  uproar  broke  out  anew  and 
looking  whence  it  proceeded,  I  beheld  four  Spaniards 
(who  it  seemed  had  leapt  aboard  us  unnoticed  in  the 
press),  and  these  miserable  wretches  methought  would 
be  torn  in  pieces.  But  thither  swaggered  Belvedere, 
flourishing  his  pistols  and  ordering  his  rogues  back, 
and  falls  to  questioning  these  prisoners  and  though  I 
could  not  hear,  I  saw  how  they  cast  themselves  upon 
their  knees,  with  hands  upraised  to  heaven,  suppli- 
cating his  mercy.  He  stood  with  arms  folded,  nodding 
his  head  now  and  then  as  he  listened,  so  that  I  began 
to  have  some  hopes  that  he  would  spare  them;  but  all 
at  once  he  gestured  with  his  arms,  whereon  was  a 
great  gust  of  laughter  and  cheering,  and  divers  men 
began  rigging  a  wide  plank  out-board  from  the  gang- 
way amidships,  whiles  others  hasted  to  pinion  these 
still  supplicating  wretches.  This  done,  they  seized 
upon  one,  and  hoisting  him  up  on  the  plank  with  his 
face  to  the  sea,  betook  them  to  pricking  him  with 
sword  and  pike,  thus  goading  him  to  walk  to  his  death. 
So  tkis  miserable,  doomed  man  crept  out  along  the 
plank,  whimpering  pleas  for  mercy  to  the  murderers 
behind  him  and  prayers  for  mercy  to  the  God  above 
him,  until  he  was  come  to  the  plank's  end  and  cowered 
there,  raising  and  lowering  his  bound  hands  in  his 
agony  while  he  gazed  down  into  the  merciless  sea  that 
was  to  engulf  him.  All  at  once  he  stood  erect,  his 
fettered  hands  upraised  to  heaven,  and  then  with  a 
piteous,  wailing  cry  he  plunged  dovm  to  his  death  and 


Resolution  Day  99 

vanished  'mid  the  surge ;  once  he  came  up,  struggling 
and  gasping,  ere  he  was  swept  away  in  the  race  of 
the  tide. 

Now  hereupon  I  cast  myself  on  my  knees  and  hiding 
my  face  in  my  fettered  hands,  fell  to  a  passion  of 
prayer  for  the  soul  of  this  unknown  man.  And  as  \ 
prayed,  I  heard  yet  other  lamentable  outcries,  followed 
in  due  season  by  the  hollow  plunge  of  falling  bodies; 
and  so  perished  these  four  miserable  captives. 

I  was  yet  upon  my  knees  when  I  felt  a  hand  upon 
my  shoulder  and  the  touch  (for  a  wonder)  was  kindly, 
and  raising  my  head  I  found  Resolution  Day  looking 
down  on  me  with  his  solitary,  bright  eye  and  his  grim 
lips  up-curling  to  friendly  smile. 

"So  perish  all  Papishers,  Romanists,  InquisitionerSj 
and  especially  Spanishers,  friend !" 

"  'Twas  cruel  and  bloody  murder!"  quoth  I,  scowl- 
ing up  at  him. 

"Why,  perceive  me  now,  amigo,  let  us  reason 
together,  camarado — thus  now  it  all  dependeth  upon 
the  point  o'  view;  these  were  Papishers  and  evil  men, 
regarding  which  Davy  sayeth  i'  the  Psalms,  'I  will  root 
'em  out,'  says  he ;  why,  root  it  is !  says  I — and  look'ee, 
brother,  I  have  done  a  lot  o'  rooting  hitherto  and  shall 
do  more  yet,  as  I  pray.  As  to  the  fight  now,  mate,  as 
to  the  fight,  'twas  noble  fight — pretty  work,  and  the 
ship  well  handled,  as  you  must  allow,  camaradoF' 
"Call  it  rather  brutal  butchery !"  said  I  fiercely. 
"Aye,  there  it  is  again,"  quoth  he;  "it  all  lieth  in 
the  point  o'  view!  Now  in  my  view  was  my  brother 
screaming  amid  crackling  flames  and  a  fair  young 
woman  in  her  living  tomb,  who  screamed  for  mercy 
and  found  none.  'Tis  all  in  the  point  o'  view!"  he 
repeated,  smiling  down  at  a  great  gout  of  blood  that 
blotched  the  skirt  of  his  laced  coat. 

"And  I  say  'tis  foul  murder  in  the  sight  of  God  and 
man!"  I  cried. 


100    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

"Ha,  will  ye  squeak,  rat!"  quoth  Belvedere,  tower- 
ing over  me,  where  I  crouched  upon  my  knees.  "  'S 
fish,  will  ye  yap,  then,  puppy-dog?" 

"Aye — and  bite !"  quoth  I,  aiming  a  futile  blow  at 
him  with  my  shackled  fists.  "Give  me  one  hand  free 
and  I'd  choke  the  beastly  soul  out  o'  ye  and  heave 
your  foul  carcase  to  the  fishes " 

Now  at  this  he  swore  a  great  oath  and  whipped 
pistol  from  belt,  but  as  he  did  so  Resolution  stepped 
betwixt  us. 

"Put  up,  Belvedere,  put  up!"  said  he  in  soothing 
tone.  "No  shooting,  stabbing  nor  maiming  till  she 
gives  the  word.  Captain " 

"Curse  her  for  a "     Resolution's  long  arm  shot 

out  and  his  knotted  fingers  plunged  and  buried  them- 
selves in  Belvedere's  bull-throat,  choking  the  word  on 
his  lips. 

"Belay,  Captain !  A.vast,  Belvedere !  I  am  one  as 
knew  her  when  she  was  innocent  child,  so  easy  all's  the 
word,  Belvedere."  Having  said  which.  Resolution 
relaxed  hi.-:  grip  and  Belvedere  staggered  back,  gasping, 
and  with  murder  glaring  in  his  eyes.  But  the  left  hand 
of  Resolution  Day  was  hidden  in  his  great  side  pocket 
whose  suspicious  bulge  betrayed  the  weapon  there,  per- 
ceiving which  Belvedere,  speaking  no  word,  turned  and 
swaggered  away. 

Now  seating  himself  upon  the  gun  beside  me.  Reso- 
lution drew  forth  from  that  same  pocket  his  small 
Bible  that  fell  open  on  his  knee  at  an  oft-studied 
chapter. 

"Now  regarding  the  point  o'  view,  friend,"  quoth 
he,  "touching  upon  the  death  o'  the  evil-doers,  of  the 
blood  of  a  righteous  man's  enemies — hearken  now  to 
the  words  o'  Davy." 


CHAPTER  XIII 

How  We  Fought  an  English  Ship 

Fob  the  days  immediately  following  I  saw  nothing 
of  Joanna  but  learned  from  Resolution  and  Diccon 
that  her  sickness  had  increased  upon  her. 

"  'Tis  her  soul,  I  doubt!"  quoth  Diccon,  shaking* his 
head.  "  'Tis  too  great  for  her  body — 'tis  giant  soul 
and  her  but  a  woman — so  doth  strong  soul  overcome 
weak  body,  and  small  wonder,,  say  I?" 

"Nay,  Diccon,"  said  Resolution,  his  bright  eye 
sweeping  the  hazy  distance,  "  'tis  but  that  she  refuseth 
her  vittles,  and  since  'man  cannot  live  by  bread  alone' 
neither  may  woman,  and  'tis  more  than  bread  she 
needeth  and  so  she  rageth  and  thus,  like  unto  Peter's 
wife's  mother,  lieth  sick  of  a  fever."  Here  for  a  brief 
moment  his  bright  eye  rested  on  me  and  he  scowled 
as  he  turned  to  limp  the  narrow  deck. 

Much  might  I  narrate  of  the  divers  hazards  of 
battle  and  storm  that  befell  us  at  this  time,  and  more 
of  the  goodly  ships  pillaged  and  scuttled  and  their 
miserable  crews  with  them,  by  Belvedere  and  his 
bloody  rogues;  of  prayers  for  mercy  mocked  at,  of 
the  agonised  screams  of  dying  men,  of  flame  and 
destruction  and  death  in  many  hideous  shapes.  All  of 
the  which  nameless  evils  I  must  perforce  behold  since 
this  Belvedere  that  shrank  at  Joanna's  mere  look, 
freed  of  her  presence,  took  joyous  advantage  to  tor- 
ment me  with  the  sight  of  such  horrors,  such  devil's 
work  as  shrieked  to  heaven  for  vengeance;  insomuch 


102    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

that  Diccon  and  divers  others  could  ill-stomach  it  at 
last  and  even  grim  Resolution  would  have  no  more. 

Now  although  Belvedere  and  his  rogues  had  taken 
great  store  of  treasure  with  small  hurt  to  themselves, 
yet  must  they  growl  and  curse  their  fortune,  since  in 
none  of  the  captured  vessels  had  they  taken  any 
women,  and  never  was  the  cry  of  "Sail,  ho !"  than  all 
men  grew  eager  for  chase  and  attack;  and  thus  this 
accursed  ship  Happy  Despatch  stood  on,  day  after 
day. 

Much  will  I  leave  untold  by  reason  of  the  horror  of 
it,  and  moreover  my  space  is  short  for  all  I  have  set 
myself  to  narrate,  viz:  how  and  in  what  manner  I 
came  at  last  to  my  vengeance  and  what  profit  I  had 
therein.  So  will  I  pass  on  to  that  day  when,  being 
in  the  latitude  of  the  great  and  fair  island  of  His- 
paniola,  we  descried  a  ship  bearing  westerly. 

Hereupon  (since  greed  is  never  satisfied)  all  men 
were  vociferous  for  chase  and  attack,  and  Belvedere 
agreeing,  we  hauled  our  wind  accordingly  and  stood 
after  her  with  every  sail  we  could  carry. 

The  Happy  Despatch  was  a  great  ship  of  some  forty 
guns  besides  such  smaller  pieces  as  minions,  paterero* 
and  the  like;  she  was  moreover  a  notable  good  sailer 
and  as  the  hours  passed  it  was  manifest  we  were  fast 
overhauling  our  quarry.  And  very  pitiful  was  it  to 
see  her  crowding  sail  away  from  us,  to  behold  her  (as 
it  were)  straining  every  nerve  to  escape  the  horrors 
in  store.  Twice  she  altered  her  course  and  twice  we 
did  the  like,  fetching  ever  nearer  until  it  seemed  she 
was  doomed  to  share  the  bloody  fate  of  so  many  others. 
By  noon  we  were  so  close  that  she  was  plain  to  see,  a 
middling-size  ship,  her  paint  blistered,  her  gilding  tar- 
nished as  by  a  long  voyage,  and  though  very  taut  and 
trim  as  to  spars  and  rigging,  a  heavy-sailing  ship  and 
sluggish.  A  poor  thing  indeed  to  cope  with  such 
powerful  vessel  as  this  Happy  Despatch,  for  as  we 


How  We  Fought  an  English  Ship  103 

closed  in  I  could  count  no  more  than  six  guns  in  the 
whole  length  of  her.  As  to  crew  she  might  have  been 
deserted  for  all  I  saw  of  them,  save  one  man  who 
paced  her  lofty  poop,  a  smallish  man  in  great  wig  and 
befeathered  hat  and  in  his  fist  a  sword  prodigiously 
long  in  the  blade,  which  sword  he  flourished  whereat 
(as  it  were  a  signal)  out  from  her  mizzen  wafted  the 
banner  of  Portugal,  and  immediately  she  opened  fire 
on  us  from  her  stern-chase  guns.  But  their  shooting 
was  so  indifferent  and  artillery  so  pitiful  that  their 
shot  fell  far  short  of  us.  Thus  my  heart  grieved 
mightily  for  her  as  with  our  guns  run  out  and 
crew  roaring  and  eager  we  bore  down  to  her  destruc- 
tion. 

Now  all  at  once,  as  I  watched  this  unhappy  ship, 
I  caught  my  breath  and  sank  weakly  to  my  knees  as, 
despite  the  distance  and  plain  to  see,  upon  her  hi^h 
poop  came  a  woman,  hooded  and  cloaked,  who  stood 
gazing  earnestly  towards  us.  Other  eyes  had  noticed 
her  also,  for  up  from  our  crowded  decks  rose  a  hum, 
an  evil  murmur  that  swelled  to  a  cry  fierce,  inarticu- 
late, bestial,  whiles  all  eyes  glared  upon  that  slender, 
shapely  form ;  presently  amid  this  ravening  clamour  I 
distinguished  words: 

"Oh,  a  woman !  Aha — women !  Hold  your  Are,  lads 
— no  shooting;  we  want  'em  all  alive  1  Easy  all,  bullies 
— ^nary  a  gun,  mates — we'll  lay  'em  'longside  and  board 
— Aye,  aye — ^board  it  is !" 

Now  being  on  my  knees,  I  began  to  whisper  in  pas- 
sionate prayer  until,  roused  by  a  shambling  step,  I 
glanced  up  to  find  Resolution  Day  beside  me. 

"What,  d'ye  pray,  brother?  'Tis  excellent  well!" 
said  he,  setting  a  musquetoon  ready  to  hand  and 
glancing  at  the  primings  of  his  pistols.  "Pray  unceas- 
ing, friend,  plague  the  Throne  wi'  petitions,  comrade, 
and  a  word  or  so  on  behalf  of  old  Resolution  ere  the 
battle  joins,  for  there's " 


104    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

"I  pray  God  utterly  destroy  this  accursed  ship  and 
all  aboard  her!"  I  cried. 

"And  do  ye  so?"  said  he,  setting  the  pistols  in  his 
belt.  "Why,  then,  'tis  as  well  you're  safe  i'  your 
bilboes,  amigo,  and  as  to  your  blasphemous  praying, 
I  will  offset  it  wi'  prayerful  counterblast — Ha,  by  my 
deathless  soul — what's  doing  yonder?"  he  cried,  and 
leant  to  peer  across  at  the  chase,  and  well  he  might. 
For  suddenly  (and  marvellous  to  behold)  this  ship 
that  had  sailed  so  heavily  seemed  to  throw  off  her 
sluggishness  and,  taking  on  new  life,  to  bound  for-* 
ward;  her  decks,  hitherto  deserted,  grew  alive  with 
men  who  leapt  to  loose  and  haul  at  brace  and  rope 
and,  coming  about,  she  stood  towards  us  and  right 
athwart  our  course.  So  sudden  had  been  this 
manoeuvre  and  so  wholly  unexpected  that  all  men  it 
seemed  could  but  stare  in  stupefied  amaze. 

"Ha!'*  cried  Resolution,  smiting  fist  on  the  rail  be- 
fore him.  "Tricked,  by  hookey !  She's  been  towing  a 
sea  anchor!  Below  there!"  he  hailed.  "Belvederej 
ahoy — go  about,  or  she'll  rake  us " 

And  now  came  Belvedere's  voice  in  fierce  and  shrill 
alarm: 

**Down  wi*  your  helm — down!  Let  gc  weather 
braces,  jump,  ye  dogs,  jump!" 

I  heard  the  answering  tramp  of  feet,  the  rattle  and 
creak  of  the  yards  as  they  swung  and  a  great  flapping 
of  canvas  as  the  Ha'ppy  Despatch  came  up  into  the 
wind;  but  watching  where  our  adversary  bore  down 
upon  us,  I  beheld  her  six  guns  suddenly  multiplied  and 
(or  ever  we  might  bring  our  broadside  to  bear)  from 
these  gaping  muzzles  leapt  smoke  and  roaring  flame, 
and  we  were  smitten  with  a  hurricane  of  shot  that 
swept  us  from  stem  to  stern. 

Dazed,  deafened,  half-stunned,  I  crouched  in  the 
shelter  of  the  mizzen  mast,  aware  of  shrieks  and  cries 
and  the  crash  of  falling  spars,  nor  moved  I  for  a  space ; 


How  We  Fought  an  English  Ship  105 

lifting  my  head  at  last,  I  beheld  on  the  littered  decks 
below  huddled  figures  that  lay  strangely  twisted,  that 
writhed  or  crawled.  Then  came  the  hoarse  roar  of  a 
speaking  trumpet  and  I  saw  Resolution,  his  face  a 
smother  of  blood,  where  he  leaned  hard  by  across  the 
ouarter-rail. 

"Stand  to't,  my  bullies!''  he  roared,  and  his  voice 
had  never  sounded  so  jovial.  "Clear  the  guns,  baw- 
cocky  boys;  'tis  our  turn  next — but  stand  by  till  she 

comes  about " 

From  the  companion  below  came  one  running,  eyes 
wild,  mouth  agape,  and  I  recognised  the  m^an  Ford 
who  had  been  my  chief  persecutor  in  the  forecastle. 

"What  now,  lad — what  now  ?"  demanded  Resolution, 
mopping  at  his  bloody  face. 

"Death !"  gasped  Ford.     "There  be  dead  men  a-lay- 

ing  forward — dead,  look'ee '^ 

"Likely  enough,  John  Ford,  and  there'll  be  dead 
men  a-laying  aft  if  ye're  not  back  to  your  gun  and 
lively,  d'ye  see?"  But  the  fellow,  gasping  again,  fell 
to  his  knees,  whereupon  Resolution  smote  him  over  the 
head  with  his  speaking  trumpet  and  tumbled  him  down 
the  ladder. 

"Look'ee  here,"  quoth  he,  scowling  on  me,  "this  all 
Cometh  along  o'  your  ill-praying  us,  for  prayer  is  po- 
tent, as  I  know,  which  was  not  brotherly  in  you,  Mar- 
tin 0,  not  brotherly  nor  yet  friendly !"  So  saying,  he 
squatted  on  the  gun  beside  me  and  sought  to  staunch 
the  splinter-gash  in  his  brow;  but  seeing  how  ill  he  set 
about  it,  I  proffered  to  do  it  for  him  (and  despite  my 
shackles),  whereupon  he  gave  me  the  scarf  and  knelt 
that  I  might  come  at  his  hurt  the  better;  and  being 
thus  on  his  knees,  hr  began  to  pray  in  a  loud,  strong 
voice : 

"Lord  God  o'  battles,  close  up  Thine  ear,  hearken 
*o  and  regard  not  the  unseemly  praying  of  this  man 
Martin  that  hath  not  the  just  point  o'  view,  seeing 


io6    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

througli  a  glass  darkly.  Yonder  lieth  the  enemy,  Lord, 
Thine  and  mine,  wherefore  let  'em  be  rooted  out  and 
utterly    destroyed;    for    if    these   be    Portingales    and 

Papishers — if — ha — if ?"      Resolution    ceased   his 

prayer  and  glancing  up,  pointed  with  stabbing  finger: 
"Yon  ship's  no  more  Portingale  than  I  am — look, 
friend,  look!" 

Now  glancing  whither  he  would  have  me,  I  saw  two 
things:  first,  that  the  Hap'py  Despatch  had  turned 
tail  and  second  that  our  pursuers  bore  at  her  main  the 
English  flag;  beholding  which,  a  great  joy  welled  up 
within  me  so  that  I  had  much  ado  to  keep  from  shout- 
ing outright. 

"English !"  quoth  Resolution.  "And  a  fighting  ship 
— so  fight  we  must,  unless  we  win  clear!" 

"Ha,  will  ye  run  then?"  cried  I  in  bitter  scorn. 

"With  might  and  main,  friend.  We  are  a  pirate, 
d'ye  see,  w'  all  to  lose  and  nought  to  gain,  and  then  'tis 
but  a  fool  as  fighteth  out  o'  season !" 

Even  as  he  spoke  the  English  ship  yawed  and  let  fiy 
at  us  with  her  fore-chase  and  mingled  with  their  roar 
was  the  sharp  crack  of  parting  timbers  and  down  came 
our  main-topmast. 

"Why,  so  be  it !"  quoth  Resolution,  scowling  up  at 
the  flapping  ruin  where  it  hung.  "Very  well,  'tis  a 
smooth  sea  and  a  fighting  wind,  so  shall  you  ha'  your 
bellyful  o'  battle  now,  friend,  for  yonder  cometh  Jo- 
anna at  last !" 

And  great  wonder  was  it  to  behold  how  the  mere 
sight  of  her  heartened  our  sullen  rogues,  to  hear  with 
what  howls  of  joy  they  welcomed  her  as  she  paced 
daintily  across  the  littered  deck  with  her  quick  glance 
now  aloft,  now  upon  our  determined  foe. 

"Ha,  'tis  so — 'tis  our  Jo- — our  luck!  Shout  for 
Cap'n  Jo  and  the  luck  o'  the  Brotherhood !" 

And  now  at  her  rapid  commands  from  chaos  came 
order,  the  decks  were  cleared,  and,   despite  wrecked 


How  We  Fought  an  English  Ship  107 

topmast,  round  swung  the  Happy  Despatch  until  her 
broadside  bore  upon  the  English  ship.  Even  then 
Joanna  waited,  every  eye  fixed  on  her  where  she  lolled, 
hand  on  hip,  watching  the  approach  of  our  adversary. 
Suddenly  she  gestured  with  her  arm  and  immediately 
the  whole  fabric  of  the  ship  leapt  and  quivered  to  the 
deafening  roar  of  her  guns ;  then,  as  the  smoke  cleared, 
I  saw  the  enemy's  fore^^ard  was  gone  and  her  sides 
streaked  and  splintered  by  our  shot,  and  from  our 
decks  rose  shouts  of  fierce  exultation,  drowned  in  the 
answering  thunder  of  their  starboard  broadside,  the 
hiss  of  their  shot  all  round  about  us,  the  crackle  of 
riven  woodwork,  the  vicious  whirr  of  flying  splinters, 
wails  and  screams  and  wild  cheering. 

And  thus  began  a  battle  surely  as  desperate  as  ever 
was  fought  and  which  indeed  no  poor  words  of  mine 
may  justly  describe.  The  enemy  lay  to  windward  and 
little  enough  could  I  see  by  reason  of  the  dense  smoke 
that  enveloped  us,  a  stifling,  sulphurous  cloud  that 
drifted  aboard  us  ever  more  thick  as  the  fight  waxed, 
a  choking  mist  full  of  blurred  shapes,  dim  forms  that 
flitted  by  and  vanished  spectre-like,  a  rolling  mystery 
whence  came  all  manner  of  cries,  piercing  screams 
and  shrill  wailings  dreadful  to  hear,  while  the  deck 
beneath  me,  the  air  about  me  reeled  and  quivered  to 
the  never-ceasing  thunder  of  artillery.  But  ever  and 
anon,  through  some  rent  in  this  smoky  curtain,  I  might 
catch  a  glimpse  of  the  English  ship,  her  shot-scarred 
side  and  rent  sails,  or  the  grim  havoc  of  our  own  decks. 
And  amidst  it  all,  and  hard  beside  me  where  I  crouched 
in  the  shelter  of  the  mizzenmast,  I  beheld  Resolution 
Day  limping  to  and  fro,  jovial  of  voice,  cheering  his 
sweating,  powder-grimed  gun-crews  with  word  and 
hand.  Suddenly  I  was  aware  of  Joanna  beside  me, 
gay  and  debonnaire  but  ghastly  pale. 

"Hola,  Martino!"  cried  she.*^    "D'ye  live  yet?     'Tis 
well.     If  we  die  to-day  we  die  together,  and  where  ft 


io8    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

properer  death  or  one  more  fitting  for  such  as  you  and 
I,  for  am  I  killed  first,  Resolution  shall  send  you  after 
me  to  bear  me  company,  yes." 

So  saying,  she  smiled  and  nodded  and  turned  to  sum- 
mon Resolution,  who  came  in  limping  haste. 

"What,  are  ye  hurt,  Jo?"  cried  he,  peering.  "Ha, 
Joanna   lass,   are  ye  hit   indeed?" 

"A  little,  yes !"  said  she,  and  staggering  against  the 
mast  leaned  there  as  if  faint,  yet  casting  a  swift,  fur- 
tive glance  over  her  shoulder.  "But  death  cometh  be- 
hind me.  Resolution,  and  my  pistol's  gone  and  yours 
both  empty " 

Now  glancing  whither  she  looked,  I  saw  Captain 
Belvedere  come  bounding  up  the  ladder,  cutlass  in  one 
hand  and  pistol  in  the  other. 

"Are  ye  there,  Jo,  are  ye  there?"  he  cried  and  stood 
to  scowl  on  her. 

"Resolution,"  said  she,  drooping  against  the  mast, 
'*fight  me  the  ship " 

"And  what  o'  me?"  snarled  Belvedere. 

"You?"  cried  she.  "Ah — ^bah!"  and  turning,  she 
spat  at  him  and,  screaming,  fell  headlong  as  his  pistol 
flashed.  But  over  her  prostrate  form  leapt  Resolu- 
tion and  there,  while  the  battle  roared  about  them,  1 
watched  as,  with  steel  that  crashed  unheard  in  that 
raging  uproar,  they  smote  and  parried  and  thrust 
until  an  eddying  smoke-cloud  blotted  them  from  my 
view.  Now  fain  would  I  have  come  at  Joanna  where 
she  lay,  yet  might  not  for  my  bonds,  although  she  was 
so  near;  suddenly  as  I  watched  her  (and  struggling 
thus  vainly  to  reach  her)  I  saw  she  was  watching  me. 

"And  would  you  aid  your  poor  Joanna,  yes?"  she 
questioned  faintly. 

'*  'Twas  so  my  thought " 

"Because  I  am  dying,  Martino?  Doth  tliis  grieve 
you?" 

^'You  are  over-young  to  die!" 


How  We  Fought  an  English  Ship  109 

"And  my  life  hath  been  very  hard  and  cruel! 
Would  you  kiss  a  dying  woman  an'  she  might  creep 
to  your  arms,  Martino?" 

Slowly  and  painfully  she  dragged  herself  within  my 
reach  and,  beholding  the  twisted  agony  of  her  look, 
reading  the  piteous  supplication  in  her  eyes,  I  stooped 
to  kiss  the  pale  brow  she  lifted  to  my  lips  and — felt 
two  arms  about  me  vigorous  and  strong  and  under 
mine  the  quivering  passion  of  her  mouth ;  then  she  had 
loosed  me  and  was  before  me  on  her  knees,  flushed  and 
tremulous  as  any  simple  maid. 

I  was  yet  gazing  on  her  in  dumb  and  stark  amaze, 
when  from  somewhere  hard  by  a  man  cried  out  in  wild 
and  awful  fashion,  and  as  this  agonised  screaming 
swelled  upon  the  air,  Joanna  rose  up  to  her  feet  and 
stood  transfigured,  her  eyes  fierce  and  wild,  her 
clenched  teeth  agleam  'twixt  curling  lips ;  and  pres- 
ently through  the  swirling  smoke  limped  Resolution 
Day,  a  dreadful,  bedabbled  figure,  who,  beholding  Jo- 
anna on  her  feet,  flourished  a  dripping  blade  and 
panted  exultant. 

"He  is  dead?"  she  questioned. 

"Verily  and  thoroughly!"  said  Resolution,  wringing 
blood  from  his  beruffled  shirt  sleeve.  "And  a  moist 
end  he  made  on't.  But  thee,  Joanna,  I  grieved  thee 
surely  dead " 

"Nay,  I  screamed  and  dropped  in  time,  but — ^hark, 
the  Englishman's  fire  is  ceasing  and  see.  Resolution 
— look  yonder !"  and  she  pointed  where  our  antagonist, 
sore  battered  in  hull  and  spars,  was  staggering  out 
of  the  fight. 

And  now  in  place  of  roaring  battle  was  sudden  hush, 
yet  a  quietude  this,  troubled  by  thin  cryings,  wailings 
and  the  like  distressful  sounds ;  and  the  smoke  lifting 
showed  something  of  the  havoc  about  us,  viz:  our 
riven  bulwarks,  the  tangled  confusion  of  shattered 
spars,  ropes  and  fallen  gear,  the  still  and  awful  shapes 


no    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

that  cumbered  the  spattered  decks,  more  especially 
about  the  smoking  guns  where  leaned  their  wearied 
crews,  a  blood-stained,  powder-grimed  company,  cheer- 
ing fitfully  as  they  watched  the  English  ship  creeping 
away  from  us. 

To  us  presently  cometh  Diccon,  his  blackened  face 
streaked  with  sweat,  hoarse-voiced  but  hearty: 

"Aha,  Captain  Jo — your  luck's  wi'  us  as  ever! 
Yon  curst  craft  hath  her  bellyful  at  last,  aye,  has 
she!" 

"I  doubt  !'^  quoth  Resolution,  shaking  his  head, 
whiles  Joanna,  leaning  against  the  mast,  pointed  feebly 
and  I  noticed  her  sleeve  was  soaked  with  blood  and 
her  speech  dull  and  indistinct: 

"Resolution  is  i'  the — right — see!" 

And  sure  enough  the  English  ship,  having  fetched 
ahead  of  us  and  beyond  range  of  our  broadside  guns, 
had  hauled  her  wind  and  now  lay  to,  her  people  mighty 
busy  making  good  their  damage  alow  and  aloft,  stop- 
ping shot-holes,  knotting  and  splicing  their  gear,  etc. 
Hereupon  Diccon  falls  to  a  passion  of  vain  oaths. 
Resolution  to  quoting  Psalms  and  Joanna,  sighing, 
slips  suddenly  to  the  deck  and  lies  a-swoon.  In  a  mo- 
ment Resolution  was  on  his  knees  beside  her. 

"Water,  Diccon,  water!"  said  he.  "The  lads  must 
never  see  her  thus !"  So  Diccon  fetched  the  water  and 
between  them  they  contrived  to  get  Joanna  to  her  feet, 
and  standing  thus  supported  by  their  arms,  she  must 
needs  use  her  first  breath  to  curse  her  weak  woman's 
body: 

"And  our  mainmast  is  shot  through  at  the  cap — 
we  must  wear  ship  or  'twill  go  !  Veer,  Resolution,  wear 
ship  and  man  the  larboard  guns  .  .  .  they  are  cool 
.  .  .  I  must  go  tend  my  hurt — a  curst  on't!  Wear 
ship  and  fight.  Resolution,  fight — to  the  last !" 

So  saying,  she  put  by  their  hold  and  (albeit  she 
stumbled  for  very  weakness)  nevertheless  contrived  to 


How  We  Fought  an  English  Ship  iii 

descend  the  quarter-ladder  and  wave  cheery  greeting 
to  the  roar  of  acclaim  that  welcomed  her. 

"And  there's  for  yel"  quoth  Resolution.  "Never 
was  such  hugeous  great  spirit  in  man's  body  or  woman's 
body  afore,  neither  in  this  world  or  any  other — ^no, 
not  even  Davy  at  Adullam,  by  hookey !  Down  to  your 
guns,  Diccon  lad,  and  cheerily,  for  it  looks  as  we  shall 
have  some  pretty  fighting,  after  all !" 

But  at  the  hoarse  roar  of  Resolution's  speaking 
trumpet  was  stir  and  clamorous  outcry  from  the 
battle-wearied  crew  who  came  aft  in  a  body. 

"Oho,  Belvedere!"  they  shouted.  "Us  ha'  fought 
as  long  as  men  may,  and  now  what?" 

"Fight  again,  bullies,  and  cheerily!"  roared  Reso- 
lution. At  this  the  uproar  grew;  pistols  and  muskets 
were  brandished. 

"We  ha'  fought  enough !  'Tis  time  to  square  away 
and  run  for't — aye,  aye — what  saith  Belvedere,  Bel- 
vedere be  our  Cap'n — we  want  Belvedere !" 

"Why  then,  take  him,  bullies,  take  him  and  willing!" 
cried  Resolution;  then  stooping  (and  with  incredible 
strength)  up  to  the  quarter-railing  he  hoisted  that 
awful,  mutilated  thing  that  had  once  been  Captain 
Belvedere  and  hove  it  over  to  thud  down  amiong  them 
on  the  deck  below.  "Eye  him  over,  lads !"  quoth  Reso- 
lution. "View  him  well,  bawcock  boys!  I  made  sure 
work,  d'ye  see,  though  scarce  so  complete  as  the  heathen 
Pompey  might  ha'  done,  but  'tis  a  very  thoroughly 
dead  rogue,  you'll  allow.  And  I  killed  him  because 
he  would  ha'  murdered  our  Joanna,  our  luck — and 
because  he  was  for  yielding  us  up,  you  and  me,  to  yon 
ship  that  is  death  for  us — for  look'ee,  there  is  never 
a  ship  on  the  Main  will  grant  quarter  or  show  mercy 
for  v>-e;  'tis  noose  and  tar  and  gibbet  for  every  one  on 
us,  d'ye  see.?  So  fight,  bully  boys,  fight  for  a  chance 
o'  life  and  happy  days — ^liere  stand  I  to  fight  wi'  you 
and  Diccon  'twixt  decks  and  Captain  Jo  everywhere. 


112    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

We  beat  off  yon  Englishman  once  and  so  we  will  again. 
So  fight  it  is,  comrades  all,  and  a  cheer  for  Captain 
Jo — ha,  Joanna !" 

Cheer  they  did  and  (like  the  desperate  rogues  they 
were)  back  they  went,  some  to  their  reeking  guns, 
others  to  splice  running  and  standing  rigging,  to  se- 
cure our  tottering  mainmast  and  to  clear  the  littered 
decks ;  overboard  alike  went  broken  gear  and  dead  com- 
rade. Then,  with  every  man  at  his  quarters,  with  port 
fires  burning,  drums  beating,  black  flag  flaunting  aloft, 
round  swung  the  Happy  Despatch  to  face  once  more 
her  indomitable  foe  (since  she  might  not  fly)  and  to 
fight  for  her  very  life. 

So  once  again  was  smoke  and  flame  and  roaring  bat- 
tle; broadside  for  broadside  we  fought  them  until  night 
fell,  a  night  of  horror  lit  by  the  quivering  red  glare 
of  the  guns,  the  vivid  flash  of  pistol  and  musket  and 
the  pale  flicker  of  the  battle  lanthoms.  And  pres- 
ently the  moon  was  casting  her  placid  beam  upon  this 
hell  of  destruction  and  death,  whereas  I  lay,  famished 
with  hunger  and  thirst,  staring  up  at  her  pale  serenity 
with  weary,  swooning  eyes,  scarce  heeding  the  raving 
tumult  about  me. 

I  remember  a  sudden,  rending  crash,  a  stunning 
shock  and  all  things  were  blotted  out  awhile^^ 


CHAPTER  XIV 

Telleth  How  the  Fight  Ended 

When  sight  returned  to  me  at  last,  I  was  yet  star- 
ing up  at  the  moon,  but  now  she  had  climbed  the  zenith 
and  looked  down  on  me  through  a  dense  maze,  a  thicket 
of  close-twining  branches  (as  it  were)  whose  density 
troubled  me  mightily.  But  in  a  little  I  saw  that  these 
twining  branches  were  verily  a  mass  of  ropes  and 
cordage,  a  twisted  tangle  that  hung  above  me  yet 
crushed  me  not  by  reason  of  a  squat  column  that  rose 
nearby,  and  staring  on  this  column  I  presently  knew 
it  for  the  shattered  stump  of  the  mizzenmast.  For  a 
great  while  I  lay  staring  on  this  (being  yet  much  dazed) 
and  thus  gradually  became  aware  that  the  guns  had 
fallen  silent;  instead  of  their  thunderous  roar  was  a 
faint  clamour,  hoarse,  inarticulate,  and  very  far  away. 
I  was  yet  wondering  dreamily  and  pondering  this  when 
I  made  the  further  discovery  that  by  some  miraculous 
chance  the  chain  which  had  joined  my  fettered  wrists 
was  broken  in  sunder  and  I  was  free.  Nevertheless 
I  lay  awhile  blinking  drowsily  up  at  the  moon  until 
at  last,  impelled  by  my  raging  thirst,  I  got  to  my  knees 
(though  with  strange  reluctance)  and  strove  to  win 
clear  from  the  tangle  of  ropes  that  encompassed  me; 
in  the  which  labour  I  came  upon  the  body  of  a  dead 
man  and  beyond  this,  yet  another.  Howbeit  I  was 
out  of  this  maze  at  last  and  rising  to  my  feet,  found 
the  deck  to  heave  oddly  'neath  my  tread,  and  so  (like 
one  walking  in  a  dream)  came  stumbling  to  the  quar- 


114    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

ter-ladder  and  paused  there  awhile  to  lean  against 
the  splintered  rail  and  to  clasp  my  aching  head,  for 
I  was  still  greatly  bemused  and  my  body  mighty  stiff 
and  painful. 

Looking  up  after  some  while  I  saw  the  Happt/  De- 
spatch lay  a  helpless  wreck,  her  main  and  mizzenmasts 
shot  away  and  her  shattered  hull  fast  locked  in  cl9se 
conflict  with  her  indomitable  foe.  The  English  ship 
had  run  us  aboard  at  the  fore-chains  and  as  the  two 
vessels,  fast  grappled  together,  swung  to  the  gentle 
swell,  the  moon  glinted  on  the  play  of  vicious  steel 
where  the  fight  raged  upon  our  forecastle.  Mightily 
heartened  by  this,  I  strove  to  shake  off  this  strange 
lethargy  that  enthralled  me  and  looked  about  for  some 
weapon,  but  finding  none,  got  me  down  the  ladder 
(and  marvellous  clumsy  about  it)  and  reaching  the 
deck  stumbled  more  than  once  over  stiffening  forms 
that  sprawled  across  my  way.  Here  and  there  a  bat- 
tle lanthom  yet  glimmered,  casting  its  uncertain  beam 
on  writhen  legs,  on  wide-tossed  arms  and  shapes  that 
seemed  to  stir  in  the  gloom;  and  beholding  so  many 
dead,  I  marvelled  to  find  myself  thus  unharmed,  though, 
as  I  traversed  this  littered  deck,  its  ghastliness  dim- 
lit  by  these  flickering  lanthoms  and  the  moon's  un- 
earthly radiance,  it  seemed  more  than  ever  that  I 
walked  within  a  dream,  whiles  the  battle  clamoured  ever 
more  loud.  Once  I  paused  to  twist  a  boarding-axe 
from  stiffening  fingers,  and,  being  come  into  the  waist 
of  the  ship,  found  mj^self  beside  the  main  hatchway 
and  leaned  there  to  stare  up  at  the  reeling  fray  on  the 
forecastle  where  pike  darted,  axe  whirled,  sword  smote 
and  the  battle  roared  amain  in  angry  summons.  But 
as  I  turned  obedient  to  get  me  into  this  desperate  fray, 
I  heard  a  low  and  feverish  muttering  and  following 
this  evil  sound  came  upon  one  who  lay  amid  the  wreck- 
age of  a  gun,  and  bending  above  the  man  knew  him 
for  Diccon  the  quartermaster. 


Telleth  How  the  Fight  Ended  115 

"How  now,  Diccon?"  I  questioned,  and  wondered  to 
hear  my  voice  so  strange  and  muffled. 

"Dying!"  said  he.  "Dying — aye,  am  I!  And  wi' 
two  thousand  doubloons  hid  away  as  I  shall  ne'er  ha' 
the  spending  on — oh,  for  a  mouthful  o'  water — two 
thousand — a  pike-thrust  i'  the  midriff  is  an — ill  thing 
yet — 'tis  better  than — noose  and  tar  and  gibbet — yet 
'tis  hard  to  die  wi'  two  thousand  doubloons  unspent 
— oh,  lad,  I  parch — I  burn  already — ^water — a  mouth- 
ful for  a  dying  man " 

So  came  I  to  the  water-butt  that  stood  abaft  the 
hatchway,  and  filling  a  pannikin  that  chanced  there 
with  some  of  the  little  water  that  remained,  hastened 
back  to  Diccon,  but  ere  I  could  reach  him  he  struggled 
to  his  knees  and  flinging  arms  aloft  uttered  a  great 
cry  and  sank  upon  his  face.  Then,  finding  him  verily 
dead,  I  drank  the  water  myself  and,  though  lukewarm 
and  none  too  sweet,  felt  myself  much  refreshed  and 
strengthened  thereby  and  the  numbness  of  mind  and 
body  abated  somewhat. 

And  yet,  as  I  knelt  thus,  chancing  to  lift  my  eyes 
from  the  dead  man  before  me,  it  seemed  that  verily  I 
must  be  dreaming  after  all,  for  there,  all  daintily  be- 
dight  in  purple  gown,  I  beheld  a  fine  lady  tripping 
lightly  among  these  mangled  dead;  crouched  in  the 
shadow  of  the  bulwark  I  watched  this  approaching 
figure;  then  I  saw  it  was  Joanna,  saw  the  moon  glint 
evilly  on  the  pistol  she  bore  ere  she  vanished  down 
the  hatchway.  And  now,  reading  her  fell  purpose,  I 
rose  to  my  feet  and  stole  after  her  down  into  the  'tween- 
decks. 

An  evil  place  this,  crowded  with  forms  that  moaned 
and  writhed  fitfully  in  the  light  of  the  lanthorns  that 
burned  dimly  here  and  there,  a  place  foul  with  blood 
and  reeking  with  the  fumes  of  burnt  powder,  but  I 
heeded  only  the  graceful  shape  that  flitted  on  before; 
once  she  paused  to  reach  down  a  lanthom  and  to  open 


Ii6    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

the  slide,  and  when  she  went  on  again,  flames  smouldered 
behind  her  and  as  often  as  she  stayed  to  set  these  fires 
a-going,  I  stayed  to  extinguish  them  as  well  as  I  might 
ere  I  hasted  after  her.  At  last  she  paused  to  unlock 
a  door  and  presently  her  voice  reached  me,  high  and 
imperious  as  ever: 

"Greeting,  Don  Federigo !  The  ship's  afire  and  'tis 
an  ill  thing  to  bum,  so  do  I  bring  you  kinder  death!" 

Creeping  to  the  door  of  this  lock-up,  I  saw  she  had 
set  down  the  lanthom  and  stood  above  the  poor  fettered 
captive,  the  pistol  in  her  hand. 

"The  Senorita  is  infinitely  generous,"  said  Don  Fed- 
erigo in  his  courtly  fashion;  then,  or  ever  she  mi^t 
level  the  weapon,  I  had  seized  and  wrested  it  from  her 
grasp.  Crying  out  in  passionate  fury,  she  turned  and 
leapt  at  me. 

"Off,  murderess !"  I  cried,  and  whirling  her  from 
me,  heard  her  fall  and  lie  moaning.  "Come,  sir,'*  said 
I,  aiding  the  Don  to  his  feet,  "let  us  be  gone!"  But 
what  with  weakness  and  his  fetters  Don  Federigo  could 
scarce  stand,  so  I  stooped  and  taking  him  across  my 
shoulder,  bore  him  from  the  place.  But  as  I  went  an 
acrid  smoke  met  me  and  with  here  and  there  a  glimmer 
of  flame,  so  that  it  seemed  Joanna  had  fired  the  ship, 
my  efforts  notwithstanding.  So  reeled  I,  panting,  to 
the  upper  air  and,  loosing  Don  Federigo,  sank  to  the 
deck  and  stared  dreamily  at  a  dim. moon. 

And  now  I  was  aware  of  a  voice  in  my  ear,  yet  noth- 
ing heeded  until,  shaken  by  an  importunate  hand,  I 
roused  and  sat  up,  marvelling  to  find  m3^self  so  weak. 

"Loose  me,  Senor  Martino,  loose  off  my  bonds;  the 
fire  grows  apace  and  I  must  go  seek  the  Senorita — 
burning  is  an  evil  death  as  she  said.  Loose  off  my 
bonds — the  Senorita  must  not  bum " 

"No,  she  must  not — burn !"  said  I  dully,  and  strug- 
gling to  my  feet  I  saw  a  thin  column  of  smoke  that 
curled   up    the   hatchway.     Gasping   and    choking,   I 


Telleth  How  the  Fight  Ended  117 

fought  my  way  down  where  flames  crackled  and  smoke 
grew  ever  denser.  Suddenly  amid  this  swirling  vapour 
I  heard  a  glad  cry : 

"Ah,  Martino  mio — you  could  not  leave  me  then  to 
die  alone!"  And  I  saw  Joanna,  with  arms  stretched 
out  to  me,  swaying  against  the  angry  glow  behind 
her.  So  I  caught  her  up  in  my  embrace  and  slipping, 
stumbling,  blind  and  half-choked,  struggled  up  and 
up  until  at  last  I  reeled  out  upon  deck,  and  with  Joanna 
thus  clasped  upon  m}'  breast,  stood  staring  with  dazed 
and  unbelieving  eyes  at  the  vision  that  had  risen  up 
to  confront  me.  For  there  before  me,  hedged  about  by 
wild  figures  and  brandished  steel,  with  slender  hands 
tight-clasped  together,  with  vivid  lips  apart  and  eyes 
wide,  I  thought  to  behold  at  last  my  beloved  Damaris, 
my  Joan,  my  dear,  dear  lady;  but  knowing  this  false, 
I  laughed  and  shook  my  head. 

"Deluding  vision,"  said  I,  "blest  sight  long-hoped 
and  prayed  for — why  plague  me  now?" 

I  was  on  my  knees,  staring  up  at  this  beloved  shape 
through  blinding  tears  and  babbling  I  know  not  what. 
And  then  arms  were  about  me,  tender  yet  strong  and 
compelling,  a  soft  cheek  was  pressed  to  mine  and  in 
my  ear  Joan's  voice: 

"Oh,  my  beloved — fret  not  thyself — here  is  no  vision, 
my  Martin " 

"Joan !"  I  panted.  "Oh,  Damaris — beloved !"  And 
shaking  off  these  fettering  arms,  I  rose  to  my  feet. 
"Joan,  is  it  thou  thyself  in  very  truth,  or  do  I  see 
thee  in  heaven " 

And  now  it  seemed  I  was  sinking  within  an  engulfing 
darkness  and  nought  to  see  save  only  the  pale  oval  of 
this  so  loved,  oft-visioned  face  that  held  for  me  the 
beauty  of  all  beauteous  things.  At  last  her  voice 
reached  me,  soft  and  low,  yet  full  of  that  sweet,  vital 
ring  that  was  beyond  all  forgetting. 

"Martin— Oh,  Martin!" 


Ii8    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

Out  towards  me  in  the  growing  dark  I  saw  her  hands 
reach  down  to  me:  and  then  these  eager,  welcoming 
hands  were  seized  and  Joanna  was  between  us  on  her 
knees. 

"Spare  him — Oh,  lady,  in  mercy  spare  my  beloved — 
kill  me  an  you  wdll,  but  spare  this  man  of  mine — 
these  arms  have  cradled  him  ere  now,  this  bosom  been 
his  pillow " 

"Joan!"   I   muttered,   "Oh,   Damaris,  beloved " 

But  seeing  the  stricken  agony  of  her  look  and  how 
she  shrank  from  my  touch,  I  uttered  a  great  cry  and 
turning,  sped  blindly  away  and  stumbling,  fell  and 
was  engulfed  in  choking  blackness. 


CHAPTER  XV 

How  I  Fell  in  With  My  Friend,  Captain  Sir  Adajl 

Penfeather 

It  was  the  pommel  of  the  long  rapier  dangling  from 
the  chair-back  that  first  drew  and  held  my  eye,  for  this 
pommel  was  extremely  bright  and  polished  and 
gleamed  on  me  like  a  very  keen  and  watchful  eye  as  I 
watched,  though  conscious  also  of  the  luxury  of  pan- 
elled walls,  of  rich  floor  coverings  and  tapestried  hang- 
ings, and  the  man  who  sat  writing  so  studiously  at  the 
carven  table.  And  presently,  roused  by  the  scratch  of 
his  industrious  quill,  I  fell  to  watching  him,  his  bowed 
head,  the  curve  of  his  back  as  he  stooped.  A  small, 
lean  man  but  very  magnificent,  for  his  coat  of  rich 
purple  velvet  sat  on  him  with  scarce  a  wrinkle,  his 
great  peruke  fell  in  such  ample  profusion  of  curls 
that  I  could  see  nought  but  the  tip  of  his  nose  as  he 
bent  to  his  writing,  and  I  wondered  idly  at  his  so  great 
industry.  Now  presently  he  paused  to  read  over  what 
he  had  written  and  doing  so,  began  to  push  and  pull 
at  his  cumbrous  wig  and  finall}^,  lifting  it  off,  laid  it 
on  the  table.  Thus  I  saw  the  man  was  white-haired  and 
that  his  ears  were  mighty  strange,  being  cut  and 
trimmed  to  points  like  a  dog's  ears ;  and  beholding  the 
jut  of  brow  and  nose  and  resolute  chin,  I  fell  to  sud- 
den trembling,  and  striving  to  lift  myself  on  the  bed, 
wondered  to  find  this  such  a  business. 

"Adam!"  said  I,  my  voice  strangely  thin  and  far 
away,  "Adam  Penfeather!" 

In  one  movement,  as  it  seemed  to  me,  he  was  out  of 


120    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

the  chair  and  leaning  above  me.  "Why,  Martin,"  said 
he.  "Why,  comrade!  Lord  love  you,  Martin,  are  ye 
awake  at  last?  Here  you've  lain  these  twelve  hours 
like  a  dead  man  and  small  wonder,  what  with  your 
wound " 

"So  you  have  come — at  last,  Adam?" 

"And  in  good  time,  shipmate!" 

"Where  am  I?" 

"Safe  aboard  my  ship,  the  'Deliverance,*' 

"  'Twas  you  fought  the  Happy  Despatch?" 

"Aye,  Martin,  and  should  have  very  properly  de- 
stroyed every  rogue  aboard  but  for  my  lady " 

"My  lady?"  said  I,  sitting  up.     "My  lady — Joan?" 

"Aye,  verily " 

"Then  'tis  true — all  true!"  said  I,  and  fell  a-trem- 
bling.     "My  lady's  here?" 

"She  is,  Martin,  and  more's  the  pity.  For  look'ee, 
having  boarded  yon  devil's  craft  and  cut  down  such 
as  resisted,  I  was  very  properly  for  hanging  such  as 
remained,  when  down  on  me  comes  my  lady  and  is  for 
carrying  the  rogues  to  trial,  the  which  is  but  vain 
labour  and  loss  o'  time,  since  each  and  all  of  my  twenty 
and  three  prisoners  is  bound  to  swing  soon  or  late,  as 
I  told  her,  but,  'No  matter,  Sir  Adam,'  says  she.  *Law 
is  law,  Sir  Adam,'  quo'  she.  When  cometh  Godby, 
running,  to  say  the  cursed  ship  was  afire,  and  coming 
to  the  main  hatchway,  I  beheld,  half-strangled  in  the 
smoke,    yourself,    shipmate,    and    a    woman    in    your 


arms 


55 


Ha — 'twas  Joanna !"  said  I,  leaping  in  the  bed. 
"What  of  her,  Adam — what  of  her,  man?" 

"A  fine  woman,  I'll  allow,  Martin,  and  by  her  looks 
a  lady  of  quality " 

"Say  a  demon  rather — a  very  she-devil!" 

"Why,  as  you  will,  Martin,  as  you  will!"  said  he. 
"Only  rest  you,  lest   the  fever  take  you   again." 

"How  was  I  wounded,  then?" 


How  I  Fell  in  With  My  Friend  121 

"A  flying  splinter  in  the  head,  Martin,  so  Surgeon 
Penruddock  sa\^s.  But  then  you  have  a  marvellous 
stout  skull,  as  I  do  know,  shipmate." 

"What  ha'  you  done  with  Joanna — where  is  she?" 

"Content  you,  Martin,  she  is  safe  enough  and  well 
cared  for ;  you  shall  see  her  anon,"  said  he,  stroking 
his  long  chin  and  viewing  me  with  his  quick,  keen  eyes. 
"But  first  you  shall  eat!"  And  he  rang  the  small 
silver  bell  that  stood  upon  the  table,  whereon  in  came 
a  soft-footed  serving-man  in  handsome  livery,  who,  re- 
ceiving Adam's  commands,  presently  bowed  himself  out 
again. 

Hereupon  Adam  set  on  his  periwig  and  fell  to  pacing 
slowly  to  and  fro,  his  feet  soundless  upon  the  rich 
carpet,  viewing  me  now  and  then  like  one  that  ponders 
some  problem.  Now,  beholding  his  air  of  latent  power 
and  indomitable  mastery,  the  richness  of  his  habit, 
the  luxury  that  surrounded  him,  it  seemed  in  very 
truth  that  he  was  the  great  gentleman  and  I  the  merest 
poor  suppliant  for  his  bounty ;  whereupon  I  must  needs 
contrast  his  case  with  mine  and  perceiving  myself  no 
better  than  I  had  been  three  weary  years  since,  to  wit : 
the  same  poor,  destitute  wretch,  I  fell  into  a  black  and 
sullen  humour: 

"You  go  vastly  fine  these  days!"  quoth  I,  scowling 
(like  the  surly  dog  I  was). 

"Aye,  Martin — I  am  so  vastly  rich!"  he  sighed.  "I 
am  a  baronet,  shipmate!"  he  nodded  dolefully.  "And 
what  is  worse,  I  own  many  rich  manors  and  countless 
broad  acres  besides  divers  castles,  mansions,  houses 
and  the  like.  Thus  all  men  do  protest  friendship  for 
me,  and  at  this  moment  there  be  manv  noble  ladies  do 
sigh  for  me  or  tl^e  manors  and  castles  aforesaid.  And 
there  was  a  duchess,  Martin,  was  set  upon  wedding  my 
riches  (and  me  along  of  'em)  but  I  have  no  leaning 
to  duchesses,  though  this  one  was  young  and  comely 
enough.     So  went  I  to  the  King,  who  by  his  grace  suf- 


122    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

fered  me  to  fit  out,  provision,  arm  and  man  this  ship 
at  my  own  expense,  Martin,  and  square  away  for  the 
Spanish  Main  to  sink,  bum  and  utterly  destroy  such 
pirate  vessels  as  I  can  bring  to  action.  So  here  am 
I,  shipmate,  since  I  had  rather  fight  rogues  when  and 
where  I  may  than  marry  a  duchess  once.  And  here 
cometh  what  shall  do  you  a  world  o'  good,  Martin — 
broth  with  a  dash  o'  rum — which  is  good  for  a  man, 
soul  and  body !"  said  he,  as  the  serving-fellow  appeared, 
bearing  a  silver  tray  whereon  stood  broth  in  a  silver 
bowl  of  most  delectable  odour.  And  indeed,  very  good 
broth  I  found  it. 

So  whiles  I  ate,  Adam,  sitting  near,  told  me  much 
of  his  doings  since  he  left  me  solitary  on  Bartiemy's 
Island,  but  of  my  lady  Joan  Brandon  he  spoke  no 
word. 

"  'Tis  but  three  short  years  since  we  parted,  ship- 
mate, three  short  years " 

"Three  long,  empty  years!"  said  I  bitterly. 
"Aye,   truth!"   quoth   he.     "You   had   a   mind    to 
nought  but  vengeance,  which  is  an  empty  thing,  as  be- 
like you'll  allow,  Martin,  you  being  now  three  long, 
empty  years  the  wiser?" 

Here,  what  with  the  hot  broth  and  my  hotter  anger, 
I  came  nigh  to  choking,  whereupon  he  rose  and,  seeing 
the  bowl  empty,  took  it  from  me  and  thereafter  set 
another  pillow  to  my  back,  the  while  I  reviled  him  im- 
potently. 

"There,  there,  Martin !"  said  he,  patting  my  shoul- 
der as  I  had  been  a  petulant  child.  "Never  miscall 
Adam  that  is  your  friend,  for  if  you  have  wasted  your- 
self in  a  vanity,  so  have  I,  for  here  you  see  me  full  of 
honours,  Martin,  a  justice,  a  member  o'  Parliament,  a 
power  at  Court  with  great  lords  eager  for  my  friend- 
ship and  great  ladies  eager  to  wed  me.  Yet  here  am 
I  safe  at  sea  and  fighting  rogues  as  often  as  I  may, 
for  great  riches  is  a  plague  that  tainteth  love  and 


How  I  Fell  in  With  My  Friend  123 

friendship    alike — vanitas    vanitatum,    omnvum    vani- 
tasr 

"Yet  your  three  years  have  been  turned  to  better  ac- 
count than  mine!"  said  I,  grown  suddenly  humble. 
"In  the  matter  of  houses  and  land,  Martin?" 
"Aye  1"  I  nodded.     "For  my  three  years  I've  nought 
to  show  but  scars  and  rags." 

"Not  so,  Martin,  for  your  fortune  marched  with 
mine.  Lord  love  you,  I  never  bought  stick  or  stone 
or  acre  of  land  but  I  bought  one  for  you,  comrade, 
share  and  share,  shipmate.  So,  if  I  am  a  man  o'  great 
possessions,  so  are  you,  Martin;  there  be  lands  and 
houses  in  old  England  waiting  their  master  as  you  sit 
there."  Now  at  this  I  lay  silent  awhile,  but  at  last 
I  reached  out  a  fumbling  hand,  the  which  he  took  and 
wrung  in  his  vital  clasp. 

"God  help  me,  Adam!"  said  I.  "WTiat  have  these 
years  made  of  me?" 

"That  same  scowling,  unlovely,  honest-hearted  self- 
deluder  that  is  my  sworn  comrade  and  blood-brother 
and  that  I  do  love  heartily  for  his  own  sake  and  the 
sake  of  my  lady  Joan.  For  look'ee,  she  hath  oft  told 
me  of  vou  and  the  life  you  lived  together  on  Bartlemy's 
Island." 

"And  has  she  so  indeed?"  quoth  I. 
"Aye,  verily.  Lord,  Martin,  when  she  waked  from 
her  swoon  aboard  ship  and  found  I  had  sailed  without 
you,  she  was  like  one  distraught  and  was  for  having 
me  'bout  ship  that  she  might  stay  to  comfort  you  in 
your  solitude.  And  so  I  did,  Martin,  but  we  were 
beset  by  storm  and  tempest  and  blown  far  out  of  our 
course  and  further  beset  by  pirates  and  the  like  evils, 
and  in  the  end  came  hardly  to  England  with  our  lives. 
No  sooner  there  than  my  lady  fits  out  an  expedition 
to  your  relief  and  I  busied  with  divers  weighty  con- 
cerns, she  sails  without  me  and  is  wrecked  in  the 
Downs,  whereby  she  lost  her  ship  and  therewith  all  she 


124    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

possessed,  save  only  Conisby  Shene,  the  which  she  hold^ 
eth  in  your  name,  Martin." 

*'Adam,"  said  I,  "Oh,  Adam,  surely  this  world  hath 
not  her  like " 

"Assuredly  not!"  quoth  he.  "The  which  doth  put 
me  to  great  wonder  you  should  come  to  forget  her  a 
while " 

"Forget  her?     I?" 

"Aye,  Martin — in  the  matter  of  the — the  lady  yon- 
der— Madam  Joanna " 

"Joanna!"  I  cried,  clenching  my  fists.  "That  de- 
mon !" 

"Ha — demon,  is  it.^^^'  quoth  Adam,  pinching  his  chin 
and  eyeing  me  askance.  "Doth  your  love  grow  all 
sudden  cold " 

"Love?"  cried  I.  "Nay — my  hate  waxeth  for  thing 
so  evil — she  is  a  very  devil " 

"Nay,  Martin,  she  is  a  poor  Spanish  lady,  exceed- 
ing comely  and  with  a  hand,  a  foot,  an  eye,  a  person 
of  birth  and  breeding,  a  dainty  lady  indeed,  yet  of  a 
marvellous  sweet  conversation  and  gentle  deportment, 
and  worthy  any  man's  love.     I  do  allow " 

"Man,"  cried  I,  "you  do  speak  arrant  folly — she 
is  Joanna !" 

"Why,  true,  Martin,  true!"  said  Adam  soothingly 
and  eyeing  me  anxious-eyed.  "She  is  the  lady  Joanna 
that  you  preserved  from  death  and  worse,  it  seems " 

"Says  she  so,  Adam?" 

"Aye !  And,  by  her  showing,  some  small — some  few 
small — kindnesses  have  passed  betwixt  you." 

"Kindnesses?"  I  demanded. 

"Aye,  Martin,  as  is  but  natural,  God  knoweth. 
Kisses,  d'ye  see,  embraces " 

"She  lies!"  quoth  I,  starting  up  in  bed,  "she  lies!" 

"Why,  very  well,  Martin " 

"Ha,  d'ye  doubt  my  word,  Adam?" 

"No,  Martin,  no — except — when  first  I  clapped  eyes 


How  I  Fell  in  With  My  Friend  125 

on  you,  she  chanced  to  be  lying  in  your  arms,  d'ye  see?" 

"Tush !"  said  I.  "What  o'  that?  'Twas  after  she'd 
set  the  ship  afire  and  sought  to  murder  Don  Federigo ; 
we  left  her  in  the  'tween-decks  and  I  found  her  nigh 
stifled  by  the  smoke.  Have  you  got  her  fast  in  the 
bilboes — safe  under  lock  and  key?" 

"Lord  love  you — no,  Martin!"  said  he,  viewing  me 
askance  as  I  were  raving.  "So  young,  Martin !  And 
a  bullet  wound  i'  the  arm  and  mighty  brave,  despite  her 
tenderness,  so  says  Penruddock  our  surgeon." 

"Why  then,  in  God's  name — where  is  she?" 

"Where  should  she  be,  seeing  she  was  wounded  and 
sohtary,  but  with  my  lady  Joan !" 

"God  forbid!"  cried  I. 

"Why,  Martin,  'tis  my  lady's  whim — they  walk  to- 
gether, talk,  eat,  aye,  and  sleep  together,  for  aught 
I  know " 

"Adam,"  said  I,  grasping  him  by  the  arm.  "You 
know  Captain  Tressady  of  old,  and  Mings  and  Red 
Rory,  Sol  Aiken  and  others  of  the  Coast  Brotherhood, 
but  have  you  ever  met  the  fiercest,  bravest,  greatest 
of  these  rogues;  have  you  ever  heard  tell  of  Captain 
'Jo'.?" 

"Aye,  truly,  Martin,  some  young  springald  that 
hath  risen  among  'em  since  my  time,  a  bloody  rogue 
by    account    and    one    I    would    fain    come    alongside 

of " 

"Captain  Jo  lies  in  your  power,  Adam;  Captain  Jo 
is  aboard;  Captain  Jo  is  Joanna  herself!  'Twas 
Joanna  fought  the  Happy  Despatch  so  desperately !" 

Now  hereupon  Adam  fell  back  a  pace  and  stood 
staring  down  on  me  and  pinching  his  chin,  but  with 
never  a  word.  And  seeing  him  thus  incredulous  still, 
I  strove  to  get  me  out  of  bed. 

"Easy,  Martin!"  said  he,  restraining  me.  "These 
be  wild  and  whirling  words  and  something  hard  to  be- 
lieve  " 


126    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

"Why,  then,  if  you  doubt  me  still,  summon  hither 
Don  Federigo  an  he  be  yet  alive '* 

"Look  now,  Martin,"  said  he,  seating  himself  on 
the  bed  beside  me.  "Since  we  left  England  I  have 
burned  or  scuttled  four  rascally  pirate  craft  and  each 
and  every  a  fighting  ship,  yet  no  one  of  them  so  mauled 
and  battered  us  as  this  Happy  Despatch  (whereby  I 
have  lost  fourteen  good  fellows  dead  besides  thirty 
wounded)  the  which  as  I  do  know  was  captained  by 
one  calling  himself  Belvedere " 

"Tush!"  cried  I.  "He  was  a  man  of  straw  and 
would  have  run  or  struck  to  you  after  your  first  broad- 
side! 'Twas  Joanna  and  Resolution  Day  fought  the 
ship  after  Belvedere  was  dead " 

"Ah,  dead,  is  he?  Why,  very  good!"  said  Adam, 
rising  and  seating  himself  at  the  table.  "Here  is  yet 
another  name  for  my  journal.  You  saw  him  dead, 
Martin?"  he  questioned,  taking  up  his  pen. 

"Most  horribly !  He  was  killed  by  the  mate.  Reso- 
lution Day " 

"Ha !"  says  Adam,  turning  to  his  writing.  "  'Tis  a 
name  sticks  in  my  memory — a  man  I  took  out  o'  prison 
and  saved  from  burning  along  with  divers  others,  when 
we  took  Margarita — a  tall,  one-eyed  man  and  scarred 
by  the  torment ?" 

"  'Tis  the  same !  But,  God  forgive  you,  Adam,  why 
must  you  be  wasting  time  over  your  curst  journal  and 
idle  talk " 

"I  think,  Martin !  I  meditate!  For,  if  this  be  true 
indeed,  we  must  go  like  Agog — dehcately — Martin — 
delicately !" 

"Folly — oh,  folly!"  cried  I.  "Joanna  may  be  fir- 
ing the  ship  as  you  sit  scribbling  there,  or  contriving 
some  harm  to  my  dear  lady — act,  man — act!" 

"As  how,  Martin?"  he  questioned,  carefully  sanding 
what  he  had  writ. 

"Seize  her  ere  she  can  strike,  set  her  fast  under 


How  I  Fell  in  With  My  Friend  127 

lock    and    key,    have    her    watched    continually " 

"Hum!"  said  Adam,  pinching  his  chin  and  viewing 
me  with  his  keen  gaze.     "If  she  be  so  dangerous  s,s 

you  say,  why  not  slay  her  out  of  hand " 

"No  !"  said  I.     "No !" 
"But  she  is  a  pirate,  you  tell  me?" 
"She  is !     And  I  do  know  her  for  murderess  beside !" 
"How  came  you  in  her  company,  Martin?" 
Hereupon   in   feverish   haste   I    recounted   much    of 
what  I  have  already  set  down  concerning  this  strange, 
wild  creature,  to  all  of  which  he  hearkened  mighty  at- 
tentive, pinching  at  his  chin  and  a  frown  on  his  face. 
"Verily !"  said  he,  when  I  had  done.     "Never  heard 
man   stranger   story!"     But   seeing  how  he   regarded 
me  in  the  same  dubious  manner,  I  leapt  out  of  bed  ere 
he  might  prevent  and  staggered  with  weakness.     "Lord 
love  you,  Martin,"  said  he,  snatching  me  in  his  iron 
grip,  "Lord  love  you,  what  would  you  be  at?     Here's 
Surgeon  Penruddock  and  his  two  mates  with  their  hands 
full  enough,  as  it  is,  God  knoweth,   and  you  sick  o' 

your  wound "     So  saying,  Adam  bundled  me  back 

into  bed,  willy-nilly. 

"Why,  then,  question  Don  Federigo,  who  knoweth 

her  better  than  I — sunnnon  him  hither " 

"Impossible,  Martin,  he  lieth  very  nigh  to  death." 
"And  what  of  Joanna?      She  is  as  swift  as  a  snake 
and  as  deadly — she  is  a  lurking  danger — a  constant 

menace,  beyond  thought  subtle  and  crafty " 

"Hist!"  quoth  Adam,  catching  me  by  the  arm  and 
turning  suddenly  as  came  a  soft  rapping;  then  the 
door  opened  and  Joanna  herself  stood  before  us,  but 
indeed  a  Joanna  such  as  I  had  never  seen.  Timid, 
abashed,  great-eyed  and  wistful,  she  stood  looking  on 
me,  her  slender  hands  tight-clasped,  her  tremulous, 
parted  lips  more  vivid  by  reason  of  the  pallor  of  her 
cheeks,  all  shy  and  tender  womanhood  from  the  glossy 
ringlets   at  her  white  brow   to   the   dainty  shoe  that 


128    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

peeped  forth  of  her  petticoat ;  as  for  me,  I  sank  back 
among  my  pillows  amazed  beyond  all  speech  by  the 
infinite  change  in  her,  for  here  was  a  transformation 
that  went  beyond  mere  lace  and  velvets ;  the  change  was 
in  her  very  self,  her  look,  her  voice,  her  every  gesture. 

"^Martino  mio!**  said  she  at  last,  and  sure  this  pen  of 
mine  may  never  tell  all  the  languorous  caress  of  these 
two  words;  and  then,  or  ever  I  might  speak  or  stir, 
she  was  beside  me  and  had  caught  my  hand  to  her  lips. 
And  then  I  saw  Joan  standing  in  the  doorway,  the 
Damaris  of  my  dreams,  and  though  her  lips  smiled 
upon  us,  there  was  that  in  her  eyes  that  filled  me  with 
bitjter  shame  and  an  agony  beyond  the  telling. 

"Damaris !"  I  groaned  and  freed  my  hand  so  sud- 
denly that  Joanna  stumbled  and  would  have  fallen, 
but  for  Adam's  ready  arm.  "Damaris  1"  I  cried.  "Ah, 
God — look  not  so !  All  these  weary  years  I  have  lived 
and  dreamed  but  of  you — Joan,  beloved,  'twas  thy 
sweet   memory   made  my   solitude  worth  the   living — 

without  thee  I  had  died "     Choking  with  my  grief, 

I  reached  out  my  hands  in  passionate  supplication  to 
that  loved  shape  that  drooped  in  the  doorway,  one 
white  hand  against  the  carven  panelling;  and  then 
Joanna  was  on  her  knees,  her  soft  cheek  pressed  to  my 
quivering  fist,  wetting  it  with  her  tears: 

"Martino !"  she  sobbed.  "Ah,  caro  miOy  art  so 
strange — dost  not  know  thy  Joanna — dost  not  know 
me,  Martino.'"' 

"Aye,  I  know  you.  Captain  Jo,"  I  cried.  "Well 
I  know  you  to  my  cost,  as  hath  many  another:  I  know 
you  for  'La  Culebra,'  for  Joanna  that  is  worshipped, 
obeyed  and  followed  by  every  pirate  rogue  along  the 
Main.      Oh,  truly  I  know  you  to  my  bitter  sorrow '* 

Now  at  this  she  gave  a  little,  pitiful,  helpless  ges- 
ture and  looked  from  me  to  the  others,  her  eyes  a-swim 
with  tears. 

"Alas !"  she  sobbed.     "And  is  he  yet  so  direly  sick.^' 


How  I  Fell  in  With  My  Friend  129 

Then,  bowing  her  head  to  the  pillow  beside  me,  "Oh, 
loved  Martino,"  she  sighed,  **art  so  sick  not  to  remem- 
ber all  that  is  betwixt  us,  that  which  doth  make  thee 
mine  so  long  as  life  shall  be  to  me — the  w^onder  I  have 
told  to  my  lady  Damaris " 

Now  here  I  caught  her  in  savage  gripe. 

"What,"  cried  I,  shaking  her  to  and  fro  despite  my 
weakness,  "what  ha'  you  told  my  lady?" 

"Beloved  Martino — I  confessed  our  love — alas,  was 
I  wrong,  Martino — I  told  her  my  joyous  hope  to  be 
the  mother  of  your  child  ere  long " 

"Oh,  shame!"  cried  I.  "Oh,  accursed  liar!"  And 
I  hurled  her  from  me;  then,  lying  gasping  amid  my 
tumbled  pillows,  my  aching  head  between  my  hands,  I 
saw  my  beloved  lady  stoop  to  lift  her,  saw  that  lying 
head  pillowed  on  Joan's  pure  bosom  and  uttering  a 
great  cry,  I  sank  to  a  merciful  unconsciousness. 


CHAPTER  XVI    , 
How  I  Had  Word  With  My  Lady,  Joan  Brandon 

"A  MARVEL,  Sir  Adam  (perceive  me),  a  wonder! 
The  constitution  of  a  horse,  an  ox,  nay  an  elephant, 
the  which  monstrous  beast  (j^ou'll  allow  me!)  hath  a 
pachydermatous  hide  tolerably  impervious  to  spears, 
axes,  darts,  javelins  and  the  like  puny  offences,  and 
a  constitution  whereby  he  liveth  (you'll  observe)  whole 
centuries.  Indeed,  Sir  Adam,  'tis  a  cure  marvellous, 
being  one  I  ha'  wrought  on  my  patient  in  spite  of  said 
patient.  For  look  now  (and  heed  me)  here  we  have 
soul,  mind  and  will,  or  what  you  will,  pulling  one  way, 
and  body  hauling  t'other,  and  body  hath  it,  physics 
versus  metaphysics — a  pretty  and  notable  case " 

"Why,  he  hath  a  notable  hard  head.  Master  Pen- 
ruddock " 

"Head,  Sir  Adam,  head — ^were  his  head  as  adaman- 
tine, as  millstone  or  hard  as  one  o'  your  cannon  balls 
that  shall  not  save  him,  if  mind  and  body  agreeably 
seek  and  desire  death,  and  mind  (pray  understand,  sir) 
is  the  more  potent  factor,  thus  (saving  and  excepting 
the  abnormal  vigour  of  his  body)  by  all  the  rules  of 
chirurgical  science  he  should  ha'  died  three  days  agone 
— when  the  seizure  took  him." 

"Would  to  heaven  I  had !"  said  I,  opening  my  eyes 
to  scowl  up  at  the  little  man  who  beamed  down  on  me 
through  monstrous  horn-rimmed  spectacles. 

"Aha,  and  there  we  have  it  confessed.  Sir  Adam!" 
said  he.  "Yet  we  shall  have  him  on  his  legs  again  in 
a  day  or  so,  thanks  to  my  art " 

"And  his  lady's  nursing!" 


How  I  Had  Word  With  My  Lady  131 

"What,  hath  she  been  with  me  in  my  sickness, 
Adam?"  I  questioned  when  the  doctor  had  departed. 

"Night  and  day,  Martin,  as  sweet  and  patient  with 
you  as  any  angel  in  heaven,  and  you  cursing  and  revil- 
ing her  the  while  in  your  ravings -" 

"Oh,  God  forgive  me!     W^here  is  she  now,  Adam?" 

"With  my  Lady  Joan 


55 


"How?"  I  cried.     "Was  this   Joanna  nursed  me? 

"Why,  truly,  Martin.  Could  she  have  better  em- 
ploy?" But  hereupon  I  fell  to  such  fury  that  Adam 
turned  to  stare  at  me,  pen  in  hand. 

"Lord  love  you,  Martin,"  said  he,  pinching  his  chin, 
"I  begin  to  think  that  skull  o'  yours  is  none  so  hard, 
after  all " 

"And  you,"  quoth  I  bitterly.  "Your  wits  are  none 
so  keen  as  I  had  judged  'em.  You  are  grown  a  very 
credulous  fool,  it  seems!" 

"Ha — 'tis  very  well,  shipmate!'^ 

"For  here  you  have  Joanna — this  evil  creature 
stained  by  God  knoweth  how  many  shameful  crimes 
— you  have  her  beneath  your  hand  and  let  her  come  and 
go  as  she  lists,  to  work  such  new  harms  as  her  cunning 
may  suggest — either  you  disbelieve  my  statements,  or 
you've  run  mad,  unless " 

"Unless  what,  Martin?" 

"Unless  she's  bewitched  you  as  she  hath  full  many 
a  man  ere  now." 

Adam  blenched  and  (for  the  first  time  in  my  remem- 
brance) his  keen  eyes  quailed  before  mine,  and  over  his 
bronzed  face,  from  aggressive  chin  to  prominent  brow, 
crept  a  slow  and  painful  red. 

"Martin,"  said  he,  his  eyes  steady  again,  "I  will 
confess  to  you  that  is  my  blood-brother  and  comrade 
sworn,  I  have — thought  better  of — of  her  than   any 

proud  lady  or  duchess  of  'em  all " 

"Despite  the  foul  and  shameful  lie  you  heard  her 
utter?" 


132    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

"Despite  everything,  Martin." 

"Then  God  help  you,  Adam!" 

"Amen,"  said  he. 

"You  are  surely  crazed " 

"Why,  very  well,  Martin,  though  you  know  me  for 
a  timid  man " 

"Tush !"  quoth  I,  turning  my  back  on  him. 

"And  a  cautious,  more  especially  in  regard  to  women, 
having  known  but  few  and  understanding  none.  Thus, 
Martin,  though  I  seem  crazed  and  foolish,  'tis  very 
well,  so  long  as  I  have  eyes  to  see  and  ears  to  hear, 
and  now  I'll  away  and  use  'em  awhile.  And  here," 
said  he,  rising  as  a  knock  sounded  on  the  door,  "should 
be  an  old  friend  o'  yours  that  got  himself  something 
scorched  on  your  account."  And  opening  the  door 
he  disclosed  a  squat,  broad-shouldered  fellow  of  a  sober 
habit,  his  head  swathed  in  a  bandage,  but  the  eyes  of 
him  very  round  and  bright  and  his  wide  mouth  up- 
curving  in  a  smile. 

"Godby!"  said  I,  and  reached  out  my  hand  to  him. 

"Why,  Mart'n!"  cried  he.  "Oh,  pal— here's  j'y, 
choke  me  wi'  a  rammer  else!  Lord,  Mart'n — three 
years — how  time  doth  gallop !  And  you  no  whit 
changed,  save  for  your  beard !  But  here's  me  wi'  a 
fine  stocked  farm  t'other  side  Lamberhurst — and, 
what's  more,  a  wife  in't  as  be  sister  to  Cecily  as  you'll 
mind  at  the  'Hoppole' — and,  what's  more,  a  blessed 
infant,  pal,  as  I've  named  Tom  arter  myself,  by  rea- 
son that  my  name  is  God-be-here,  and  Mart'n  arter 
you,  by  reason  you  are  my  pal  and  brought  me  all  the 
good  fortun'  as  I  ever  had.  Aha,  'twas  a  mortal  good 
hour  for  me  when  we  first  struck  hands,  Mart'n." 

"And  you're  more  than  quits,  Godby,  by  saving  me 
from  the  fire " 

"Why,  pal,  you  fell  all  of  a  swound,  d'ye  see,  and 
there's  my  Lady  Brandon  and  t'other  'un  a-running 
to  fetch  ye,  flames  or  no — so  what  could  I  do " 


How  I  Had  Word  With  My  Lady  133 

"My  lady  Joan?" 

"Aye  and  t'other  'un — the  Spanish  dame  as  you 
come  up  a-cuddling  of,  Mart'n— and  a  notable  fine 
piece  she  be,  as  I'm  a  gunner " 

"Is  my  lady  on  deck?" 

"Which  on  'em,  pal?" 

"Joan,  man — my  Lady  Brandon!" 

"Aye,  and  mighty  downcast  by  her  look.  *Godby,' 
says  she  to  me  a  while  back,  'if  I  find  not  my  father 
now,  I  do  think  my  poor  heart  will  break !'  And  the 
sweet  sad  eyes  of  her,  pal " 

"I'll  get  up !"  said  I,  tossing  off  the  bed  clothes., 

"Lord,  Mart'n,  what'll  Cap'n  Adam  say " 

"  'Tis  no  matter !" 

"Are  3'e  strong  enough,  pal?" 

"To  be  sure!"  said  I,  and  getting  upon  my  feet, 
reeled  for  very  weakness  and  should  have  fallen  but 
that  Godby  propped  me  with  his  shoulder;  supported 
thus  and  despite  Godby's  remonstrances,  I  staggered 
to  and  fro  and  gi'adually  found  my  strength  return 
in  some  small  measure,  whereupon  I  began  to  dress 
myself  forthwith. 

"W^hither  are  we  sailing,  Godby?" 

"To  the  nearest  secure  anchorage,  Mart'n,  for  what 
wi'  storm  and  battle  we  are  so  battered  and  sprung, 
alow  and  aloft — and  small  wonder,  here's  four  ships 
we've  destroyed  since  we  left  Old  England,  battle,  mur- 
der and  sudden  death,  pal!" 

So  with  Godby's  help  I  got  me  out  upon  the  broad 
quarter-deck  and  saw  the  Deliverance  for  a  fine,  roomy 
ship,  very  clean  and  trim,  her  decks  new-scoured,  her 
brass-work  gleaming  in  the  sun ;  though  here  and  there 
the  carpenters  were  still  repairing  such  damage  as 
she  had  taken  in  the  fight. 

"A  noble  ship,  pal,"  says  Godby,  as  I  sat  me  down 
on  one  of  the  guns,  "and  looks  vasty  different  to  what 
she  did  three  days  since,  her  foreyard  and  main-to'- 


134    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

gallant  mast  shot  away  and  her  starboard  bulwarks 
shattered  fore  and  aft  and  three  shot-holes  under  water 
as  can't  be  come  at  till  we  careen." 

"  'Twas  hot  fight — I  marvel  your  damage  was  no 
greater,"  says  I,  glancing  hither  and  tliither  for 
sight  of  my  lady,  and  my  heart  throbbing  with  expecta- 
tion. 

"Nay,  Mart'n,  'twas  guile,  'twas  craft,  'twas  sea- 
manship. Lord  love  your  eyes,  pal,  Cap'n  Adam 
seized  him  the  vantage  point  by  means  of  a  fore-course 
towing  under  water,  and  kept  it.  For  look'ee,  'tis 
slip  our  floating  anchor,  up  wi'  our  helm  and  down 
on  'em  'thwart-hawse  and  let  fly  our  larboard  broad- 
side, veer  and  pound  'em  wi'  our  starboard  guns,  keep- 
ing the  weather  gauge,  d'ye  see,  pal,  till  their  fire  slack- 
ens and  them  blind  wi'  our  smoke  and  theirs.  Then 
to  close  wi'  'em  till  our  gun  muzzles  are  nigh  touching 
and  whiles  we  pound  'em  below,  'tis  grappling  irons 
and  boarders  away !  Aha,  a  wonderful  man  is  Cap'n 
Adam — oh,  'tis  beautiful  sight  to  watch  him  take  ship 
into  action;  'tis  sight  to  warm  a  man's  in'nards  and 
make  archangels  sing  for  j'y,  pal.  Aye,  deafen,  blind 
and  choke  me  but  a  man  o'  men  is  Cap'n  Adam  Pen- 
feather  !" 

"He  is  come  to  great  repute,  I  hear!"  said  I,  my 
hungry  gaze  wandering. 

"Verily  he  hath,  Mart'n;  the  King  do  honour  him 
vastly  especially  since  he  pinked  a  strutting,  quarrel- 
some gentleman  through  the  sword-arm  in  St.  James's 
Park,  and  him  a  nearl,  pal!" 

"At  last!"  says  I. 

"Anan,  pal?"  he  questioned,  but  looking  where  I 
looked.  "Aye,"  he  nodded,  "  'tis  my  Lady  Brandon, 
and  mighty  despondent  by  her  looks  as  I  told  ye, 
Mart'n."  All  unconscious  of  me  she  crossed  the  deck 
slow-footed  and  coming  to  the  lee  bulwark,  paused 
there,  her  lovely  head  down-bent  upon  her  hands. 


How  I  Had  Word  With  My  Lady  135 

Now  watching  her  as  she  stood  thus,  my  eager  gaze 
dwelling  on  e\ery  line  of  the  beloved  shape,  I  was  filled 
with  such  overmastering  emotion,  an  ecstasy  so  keen, 
that  I  fell  a-trembling  and  my  eyes  filled  with  sudden, 
blinding  tears ;  and  bowing  my  face  on  my  hand,  I 
sat  thus  a  while  until  I  had  composed  myself.  Then 
I  arose  and  made  my  way  towards  her  on  stumbling 
feet. 

Suddenly'  she  turned  and  espying  me,  started  and 
fell  a-trembling,  even  as  I. 

"Martin,'*  said  she  below  her  breath.  "Oh,  Mar- 
tin!" 

"Damaris!"  I  muttered.     "Beloved !" 

Now  at  this  she  gave  a  little  gasp  and  turned  to 
gaze  away  across  the  placid  waters,  and  I  saw  her  slen- 
der hands  clasp  and  wring  each  other. 

"Have  3^ou  no  word  of  greeting  for  me?" 

"I  rejoice  to — to  see  you  well  again,  Martin!" 

"Have  you  no  word  of — love  for  me,  after  all  these 
years,  Damaris?"  At  this  she  shrank  away  and,  lean- 
ing 'gainst  the  bulwark,  shook  her  head,  and  again  I 
saw  that  hopeless  gesture  of  her  quivering  hands. 

"Is  your  love  for  me  dead,  then?"  I  questioned, 
coming  a  pace  nearer. 

"Ah,  never  that,  Martin !"  she  whispered.  "Only  I 
have — buried  it  deep — within  my  heart — where  it  shall 
lie  for  ever  hid  for  thy  sake  and  her  sake  and — and 
that — which  is  to  be — this  poor  Joanna  hath  told 
me " 

Now  hereupon  I  laughed  and  caught  her  hands  and 
kissed  them  and  they,  the  pretty  things,  trembling 
'neath  m}^  kisses. 

"God  love  thee  for  sweet  and  noble  woman,  my 
Damaris,"  said  I,  sinking  to  my  knees  before  her,  "and 
now,  thus  kneeling  in  the  sight  of  God  and  thee,  hear 
me  swear  that  hateful  thing  of  which  you  speak  never 
was  and  never  shall  be!"     Here  I  clasped  my   arms 


136    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

about  her,  felt  her  yield  and  sway  to  my  embrace,  saw 
a  dawning  glory  in  her  eyes. 

"Martin,"  said  she,  quick-breathing,  "if  this  be  so 
indeed " 

"Indeed  and  indeed,  Joanna  spake  a  shameful  lie — 
a  woman  prone  to  every  evil,  being  a  murderess 
and " 

"A  murderess,  Martin?'* 

"Aye,  by  her  own  confession,  and  I  do  know  her  for 
a  pirate  beside,  more  desperate  and  resolute  than  any, 
known  to  every  rogue  along  the  Main  as  Captain  Jo." 

Now  here  my  lady  stirred  in  my  embrace  and  looked 
down  on  me  with  troubled  gaze. 

"And  yet,  dear  Martin,  you  lived  with  her  on — on 
our  island.?" 

"Aye,  I  did — to  my  torment,  and  prayed  God  I 
might  not  slay  her."  And  here  in  breathless  fashion 
I  told  my  lady  of  Joanna's  coming  and  of  the  ills  that 
followed;  but  seeing  the  growing  trouble  in  her  look, 
my  arms  fell  from  her  and  great  bitterness  filled  me. 
"Ah,  God  in  heaven,  Damaris!"  I  cried,  "never  say 
you  doubt  my  word " 

"Martin !" 

I  rose  to  my  feet  to  behold  Joanna  within  a  yard 
of  us.  For  a  long  and  breathless  moment  she  looked 
from  me  to  other  of  us  and  then,  shuddering,  hid  her 
face  in  her  two  hands. 

"Dear  my  lady,"  said  she  at  last,  "if  by  reason  of 
his  wound  my  loved  Martin  hath  grown  strange  to  me 
and  all  his  love  for  me  forgot — if  indeed  you  do  love 
him — to  you  that  have  been  more  than  sister  and  gen- 
tle friend  to  miserable  Joanna,  to  you  I  do  yield  my 
love  henceforth,  nor  will  I  repine,  since  my  love 
for  thee  shall  teach  me  how  to  bear  my  shame, 
yes " 

"Ha,  damned  liar!"  I  cried,  and  turned  on  Joanna 
with   clenched  fists;   and   then   my   lady's   restraining 


How  I  Had  Word  With  My  Lady  137 

arms  were  about  me  and  I  sank  half-swooning  against 
the  ship's  side. 

"Dear  Martin,"  said  she,  viewing  me  tearful-eyed, 
"you  are  not  yourself " 

"No !"  cried  I,  burying  my  throbbing  head  betwixt 
my  arms.  "I  am  Fortune's  Fool — the  world  is  upside 
down — God  help  me,  I  shall  run  mad  in  very  truth. 
Oh,  damned  Fortune — curst  Fate!"  and  I  brake  out 
into  futile  raving  awhile.  When  at  last  I  raised  my 
head  it  was  to  behold  my  lady  clasping  this  vile  crea- 
ture in  her  arms  and  cherishing  her  with  tender  words 
and  caresses,  the  which  sight  wrought  me  to  a  very 
frenzy  of  cold  and  bitter  rage.     Said  I: 

"My  Lady  Brandon,  God  knoweth  I  have  greatly 
loved  you,  wherein  I  have  wasted  myself  on  a  vain 
thing  as  is  to  me  right  manifest.  So  now,  since  you 
have  buried  your  love,  mine  do  I  tear  from  me  and 
cast  utterly  away;  henceforth  I  am  no  more  than  an 
instrument  of  vengeance " 

"Martin!"  cried  she.  "Oh,  dear  Martin,  for  the 
love  of  God " 

But  (Oh,  vain  folly!  Oh,  detestable  pride!)  I  heeded 
not  this  merciful  appeal  nor  the  crying  of  my  own 
heart,  but  turning  my  back  upon  my  noble  lady,  stum- 
bled away  and  with  never  another  word  or  look.  And 
thus  I  (that  was  born  to  be  my  own  undoer)  once  more 
barred  myself  out  from  all  that  life  offered  me  of 
happiness,  since  pride  is  ever  purblind. 

Presently,  espying  Godby  where  divers  of  his  fel- 
lows rove  new  tackle  to  a  gun,  I  enquired  for  Adam. 

"r  the  gun  room,  Mart'n — nay,  I'll  stand  along  wi' 
you." 

So  he  brought  me  down  to  the  gun  room  where  sat 
Adam,  elbows  on  table,  chin  on  hand,  peering  up  at 
one  who  stood  before  him  in  fetters,  a  haggard,  war- 
worn figure. 

"What— Resolution.?"  said  I. 


138    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

"That  same,  friend,  brought  somewhat  low,  com- 
rade, yet  soon,  it  seems,  to  be  exalted — on  a  gallows, 
d'ye  see,  yet  constant  in  prayer,  steadfast  in  faith 
and  nowise  repining — for  where  would  be  the  use?  And 
moreover,  the  way  o'  the  Lord  is  my  way — ^Amen, 
brother,  and  Amen." 

"Adam,'*  said  I,  turning  where  he  yet  gazed  up  at 
Resolution's  scarred  and  bandaged  face,  "I  would  fain 
have  you  show  mercy  to  this  man.  But  for  Resolution 
here  I  had  died  hideously  at  the  hands  of  a  vile  blacka- 
moor." 

"Mercy.''"  said  Adam,  scowling  up  at  Resolution. 

"His  life,  Adam." 

"  'Tis  forfeit !  Here  standeth  a  notable  pirate  and 
one  of  authority  among  the  rogues,  so  must  he  surely 

die  along  with  Captain  Jo "     I  saw  Resolution's 

shackled  hands  clench  suddenly,  then  he  laughed,  harsh 
and  strident. 

"To  hang  Captain  Jo  you  must  needs  catch  him 
first !" 

"Why  then  who — who  and  what  is  Joanna.?"  I  de- 
manded. 

"Why,  your  light-o'-love,  for  sure,  friend,  as  we 
found  along  o'  you  on  a  lonely  island,  amigo** 

"Resolution,  you  lie " 

"On  a  lonely  island,  catnarado^^  says  he  again. 

"Wait!"  I  muttered,  clasping  my  aching  head. 
"Wait !  Joanna  is  the  daughter  of  the  murdered  Gov- 
ernor of  Santa  Catalina  who  was  left  behind  in  the 
burning  town  and  rescued  by  Indians,  who,  being  In- 
dians, were  kind  to  her.  But  these  Indians  were  killed 
by  white  men  who  took  her,  and,  being  white  men,  they 
used  her  ill  all  save  one  who  was  to  her  father  and 
mother,  sister  and  brother  and  his  name  Resolution. 
So  she  grew  up  a  pirate  among  pirates,  dressed,  spoke 
and  acted  as  they  and  rose  to  be  great  among  them 
by  reason  of  her  quick  wit  and  resolute  spirit,  and 


How  I  Had  Word  With  My  Lady  139 

because  of  her  quickness  and  subtle  wit  is  called  *La 
Culebra'  and  for  her  desperate  courage  is  hailed  as 
^Captain  Jo.'  " 

Resolution  fell  back  a  step,  staring  on  me  amazed, 
and  I  saw  his  shackled  fists  were  quivering.  Then  sud- 
denly Adam  rose  and  leaned  forward  across  the  table. 

"Resolution  Day,"  said  he,  "have  you  a  memory  for 
faces.''" 

I  saw  Resolution's  solitary  eye  widen  and  dilate  as 
it  took  in  the  man  before  him,  the  spare  form,  the 
keen,  aquiline  face  with  its  black  brows,  white  hair  and 
mutilated  ears. 

"Captain — Adam  Penfeather — o'  the  Brotherhood !" 

"Ha!"  quoth  Adam,  nodding  grimly.  "I  see  you 
know  me!  So,  Resolution  Day,  I  warn  you  to  pre- 
pare to  make  your  final  exodus  with  Captain  Jo — at 
sunset!" 

Resolution's  scarred  head  sank,  his  maimed  body 
seemed  to  shrink  and  there  broke  from  him  a  groan: 

"To  hang — to  die — she's  so  young — so  young — all 
I  ever  had  to  love!     Oh,  Lord  God  o'  battles " 

"Godby,  summon  the  guard  and  see  him  safely  be- 
stowed— in  the  lock-up  aft,  and  bring  the  key  to  my 
cabin."  So  at  Godby's  word,  in  came  two  armed  fel- 
lows and  marched  out  Resolution  Day,  his  head  still 
bowed  and  his  fetters  jangling  dismally. 

"You'll  never  hang  her,  Adam!"  said  I,  when  we 
were  alone.     "You  cannot,  man — you  shall  not !" 

"Lord,  Martin,"  said  he,  sitting  on  his  great  peruke 
and  looking  askance  at  me,  "Lord,  what  a  marvellous 
thick  skull  is  thine!" 

"Mayhap!"  quoth  I,  "but  you  know  my  story  for 
true  at  last — you  know  Joanna  for  Captain  Jo." 

Now  here  he  answered  never  a  word  but  falls  to  pac- 
ing back  and  forth,  his  hands  clasped  behind  him; 
whereupon  I  seated  myself  at  the  table  and  leaned  my 
aching  head  betwixt  my  hands. 


140    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

"Adam,"  said  I  at  last,  "how  far  are  we,  do  you 
reckon,  from  Nombre  de  Dios?" 

"Some  hundred  and  fifty  miles,  maybe  a  little  less." 

"Why,  then,  give  me  a  boat." 

"A  boat  ?"  said  he,  pausing  in  his  walk  to  stare  on  me. 

"Aye,  a  boat,"  I  nodded.  "You  cast  me  adrift 
once,  you'll  mind — well — do  so  again !" 

"And  what  o'  my  Lady  Joan.'*  Ha — will  ye  tell  me 
you've  quarrelled  already  in  true  lover-like  fashion — 
is  this  it?" 

"  'Tis  no  matter,"  quoth  I,  "only  I  do  not  stay  on 
this  ship  another  hour." 

"Lord !"  said  he,  "Lord  love  me,  Martin !  Here 
you've  scarce  found  her  and  now  eager  to  lose  her 
again — ^heaven  save  me  from  love  and  lovers " 

"Give  me  a  boat." 

"A  boat?"  said  he,  pinching  his  chin.  "A  boat,  is 
it?  Why,  very  well,  Martin — a  boat!  Ha,  here  me- 
thinks  is  the  Tery  hand  o'  Providence,  and  who  am  I 
to  gainsay  it?  You  shall  have  the  longboat,  Martin, 
well  stored  and  armed;  'tis  a  goodly  boat  that  I  am 
loth  to  part  with — but  seeing  'tis  you,  comrade,  why 
very  well.  Only  you  must  bide  till  it  be  dark  for 
reasons  obvious " 

"So  be  it!"  I  nodded.  "And  if  you  could  give  me 
a  chart  and  set  me  a  course  how  to  steer  for  Nombre 
de  Dios,  I  should  be  grateful,  Adam." 

"Why,  so  I  will,  Martin.  A  course  to  Nombre — 
aye,  verily!  'Tis  said  one  Sir  Richard  Brandon  lieth 
'prisoned  there.  Ha — Shaving  quarrelled  with  daugh- 
ter you  speed  away  to  sire " 

"And  what  then?"  said  I,  scowling. 

"Nought,  Martin,  nought  in  the  world,  only  if  in 
this  world  is  a  fool — art  surely  he,  comrade.  Nay, 
never  rage  against  your  true  friend,  comrade ;  give  me 
your  arm,  let  me  aid  you  up  to  my  cabin,  for  your 
legs  are  yet  overly  weak,  I  doubt." 


CHAPTER  XVII 

Telleth  the  Outcome  of  My  Prideful  Folly 

The  moon  had  not  yet  risen  when,  in  despite  of 
Adam's  warnings  and  remonstrances,  I  set  the  great 
boat-cloak  about  me  and  stepped  forth  into  the  stem- 
gallery  of  the  ship,  whence  I  might  look  down  and  be- 
hold the  dark  loom  of  the  longboat,  a  gliding,  glim- 
mering shadow  upon  the  white  spume  of  the  wake. 

Now  if  there  be  any  who,  reading  this  my  narrative, 
shall  cry  out  against  me  for  perverse  fool  (as  I  surely 
was)  to  all  such  I  would  but  say  that  though  indeed 
a  man  wild  and  headstrong  by  nature  and  given  to 
passionate  impulse,  yet  I  was  not  wholly  myself  at  this 
time  by  reason  of  my  wound,  so  that  the  unlovely  and 
gloomy  spirit  of  selfishness  that  possessed  me  now  had 
full  sway  to  rule  me  how  it  listed;  and  I  would  have 
this  plead  such  excuse  as  might  be  for  this  my  so  des- 
perate and  unreasonable  determination,  the  which  was 
to  plunge  me  into  further  evils  and  miseries,  as  you 
shall  hear. 

"So  you  are  determined  on't,  Martin?"  said  Adam, 
standing  beside  me  where  I  prepared  to  descend  the 
short  rope  ladder. 

"I  am!" 

"Lord,  Martin,  there  is  so  much  to  love  in  you  'tis 
pity  you  are  so  much  of  fool " 

"You  said  as  much  before " 

"Aye,  so  I  did,  comrade,   so   I  did.     But  look'ee, 


142    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

'tis  a  smooth  sea,  a  fair  wind — aha,  it  needeth  no  pis- 
tol butt  to  persuade  you  to  it  this  time ;  you  go  of  your 
own  will  and  most  express  desire,  comrade." 

"I  do,  Adam." 

"And  who  knoweth,"  said  he,  his  gaze  uplift  to  the 
Southern  Cross  that  glimmered  very  bright  and  splen- 
did above  us,  "who  can  say  what  lieth  in  wait  for  you, 
comrade, — hardship  and  suffering  beyond  doubt  and 
— peradventure,  death.  But  by  hardship  and  suffer- 
ing man  learneth  the  wisdom  of  mercy,  or  should  do, 
and  by  death  he  is  but  translated  to  a  greater  living 
— so  I  do  hope.  And  thus,  howsoever  it  be,  alFs  well, 
Martin,  all's  well." 

"Adam,"  said  I,  "give  me  your  hand.  You  have 
called  me  'fooP  and  fool  am  I,  mayhap,  yet  in  my  folly, 
wisdom  have  I  enough  for  this — to  know  you  for  my 
good  friend  and  true  comrade  now  and  always!" 

"Hark'ee  then,"  said  he,  grasping  my  hand  and  lean- 
ing to  my  ear  in  the  gloom,  "give  up  this  desperate 
quest,  stand  by  me,  and  I  can  promise  ye  that  which 
is  better  than  empty  vengeance — wealth,  Martin,  rank, 
aye,  and  what  is  best  of  all,  a  noble  woman's  love " 

"Enough!"  cried  I,  "I  am  no  weathercock  and  my 
mind  is  set " 

"Why,  very  well,  but  so  is  mine,  shipmate,  and  set 
upon  two  things — one  to  fulfil  my  duty  to  the  King 
in  the  matter  of  exterminating  these  pirates  and  the 
like  rogues,  and  t'other  to  redeem  my  promise  to 
our  lady  Joan  in  the  matter  of  her  father — your 
enemy." 

"How,  are  you  for  Nombre  de  Dios  likewise,  Adam.'"' 

"Just  as  soon  as  I  have  this  ship  in  staunch  fighting 
trim,  for,  unless  you  and  your  vengeance  are  afore 
me,  I  will  have  Sir  Richard  Brandon  out  o'  the  Inqui- 
sition's bloody  clutches  either  by  battle  or  stratagem 
— aye,  though  it  cost  me  all  I  possess,  and  God  know- 
eth I  am  a  vastly  wealthy  man,  Martin." 


Outcome  of  My  Prideful  Folly  143 

"Why  then,  we  are  like  to  meet  at  Nombre  de  Dios  ?" 
said  I. 

"Mayhap,  Martin,  who  can  say?  Meantime,  here 
is  the  chart  and  your  sailing  directions  with  some  few 
words  for  you  to  ponder  at  leisure,  and  so  fortune  at- 
tend you  and  farewell,  comrade." 

"One  thing,  Adam,"  said  I,  grasping  the  ladder  of 
ropes,  "you  will  save  alive  the  man  Resolution  Day — 
for  my  sake " 

"Aha,"  quoth  Adam,  clapping  me  on  the  shoulder, 
"and  there  spake  the  man  that  is  my  friend !  Never 
doubt  it,  comrade — he  shall  live.  And  look'ee,  Martin, 
if  I  have  been  forced  to  play  prank  on  ye  now  and 
then,  think  as  kindly  of  me  as  ye  can." 

Hereupon,  and  with  Adam's  assistance,  having 
hauled  in  the  longboat  until  she  was  well  under  the  gal- 
lery, I  presently  got  me  a-dowTi  the  swaying  rope  lad- 
der and  safe  aboard  of  her  (though  with  no  little 
to-do)  and  at  my  shout  Adam  cast  off  the  towline,  and 
I  was  adrift. 

For  some  while  I  sat  huddled  in  the  bows,  watching 
the  lofty  stern  with  its  rows  of  lighted  windows  and 
three  great  lanthorns  above  topped  by  the  loom  of 
towering  sails,  until  sails  and  ship  merged  into  the 
night,  and  nought  was  to  see  save  the  yellow  gleam  of 
her  lights  that  grew  ever  more  dim,  leaving  me  solitary 
upon  that  vast  expanse  of  ocean  that  heaved  all  about 
me, — a  dark  and  bodeful  mystery. 

At  last,  finding  the  wind,  though  very  light,  yet  might 
serve  me  very  well,  I  turned  with  intent  to  step  the 
mast.  And  now  I  saw  the  sail  was  ill-stowed,  the 
canvas  lying  all  abroad  and  as  I  rose  I  beheld  this 
canvas  stirred  as  by  a  greater  wind ;  then  as  I  stared 
me  this,  it  lifted,  and  from  beneath  it  crept  a  shape 
that  rose  up  very  lithe  and  graceful  and  stood  with 
hands  reached  out  towards  me,  and  then  as  I  staggered 
back  came  a  cry: 


144.    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

"Quick,  Resolution — seize  him!" 

Two  powerful  arms  clasped  and  dragged  me  down, 
and  lying  thus,  dazed  by  the  fall,  I  stared  up  to  see 
bending  above  me  the  hated  face  of  Joanna. 

I  waked  to  a  blaze  of  sun,  a  young  sun  whose  level 
beams  made  the  bellying  sail  above  me  a  thing  of  glory 
where  it  swung  against  an  azure  heaven,  flecked  with 
clouds  pink  and  gold  and  flaming  red;  and  stark 
against  this  splendour  was  the  grim  figure  of  Reso- 
lution Day,  a  bloody  clout  twisted  about  his  head, 
where  he  sat,  one  sinewy  hand  upon  the  tiller,  the 
other  upon  the  worn  Bible  open  upon  his  knees,  his 
lips  moving  as  he  read,  while  hard  beside  me  on  the 
floor  of  the  boat  lay  Joanna,  fast  asleep.  At  sight  of 
her  I  started  and  shrank  from  her  nearness,  whereupon 
Resolution,  lifting  his  head  and  closing  the  Bible  on 
his  finger,  glared  down  on  me  with  his  solitary  eye. 

"Martin,"  said  he  below  his  breath,  and  tapping  the 
brass  butt  of  a  pistol  that  protruded  from  the  pocket 
of  his  coat,  "there  be  times  when  I  could  joyfully  make 
an  end  o'  you — for  her  sake — ^her  that  do  love  you  to 
her  grief  and  sorrow,  since  her  love  is  your  hate — 
though  what  she  can  see  in  ye  passes  me!  Howbeit, 
love  you  she  doth,  poor  soul,  and  if  so  be  you  ha'  no 
love  for  her,  I  would  ha'  3^ou  be  a  little  kinder,  Mar- 
tin ;  'twould  comfort  her  and  harm  you  no  whit.  Look 
at  her  now,  so  fair,  so  young,  so  tender " 

"Nay,  here  lies  Captain  Jo !"  said  I,  scowling. 

"Speak  lower,  man,"  he  whispered  fiercely.  "I  ha' 
given  her  a  sleeping  potion  out  o'  the  medicine  chest 
Captain  Penfeather  provided  for  her;  she  is  not  yet 
cured  of  her  wound,  d'ye  see,  and  I  would  not  have 
her  waked  yet,  so  speak  lower  lest  I  quiet  ye  wi'  a  rap 
o'  the  tiller.  Let  her  sleep, — 'tis  life  to  her.  Saw 
ye  ever  a  lovelier,  sweeter  soul?" 

Now  viewing  her  as  she  lay  outstretched,  the  wild, 
passionate  soul  of  her  away  on  the  wings  of  sleep,  be- 


Outcome  of  My  Prideful  Folly  145 

holding  the  dark  curtain  of  her  lashes  upon  the  pallor 
of  her  cheek,  tke  wistful  droop  of  her  vivid  lips  and 
all  the  mute  appeal  of  her  tender  womanhood,  I  could 
not  but  marvel  within  myself. 

"And  yet,"  said  I  at  last,  speaking  my  thoughts 
aloud,  "I  have  seen  her  foully  dabbled  with  a  dead 
man's  blood!" 

"And  why  for  not  ?  Jehovah  doth  not  always  strike 
vile  rogues  dead,  wherefore  He  hath  given  some  women 
strength  to  do  it  for  Him.  And  who  are  you  to  judge 
her;  she  was  innocent  once — a  pearl  before  swine  and 
if  they — spattered  her  wi'  their  mud,  they  never  tram- 
pled her  i'  their  mire!  She  hath  been  at  no  man's 
bidding,  and  fearing  no  man,  hath  ruled  all  men,  out- 
doing 'em  word  and  deed — aha,  two  rogues  have  I  seen 
her  slay  in  duello.  Howbeit,  she  is  as  God  made  her, 
and  'tis  God  only  shall  judge  His  own  handiwork; 
she  is  one  wi'  the  stars,  the  winds  that  go  about  the 
earth,  blowing  how  they  list,  and  these  great  waters 
that  slumber  or  rage  in  dreadful  tempest — she  and 
they  and  we  are  all  of  God.  So  treat  her  a  little  kind, 
Martin,  love  or  no — 'tis  little  enough  o'  kindness  she 
has  known  all  her  days;  use  her  a  little  kinder,  for 
'tis  in  my  mind  you'll  not  regret  it  in  after  days !  And 
talking  o'  tempest,  I  like  not  the  look  o'  the  sky- 
take  you  the  tiller  whiles  I  shorten  sail  and  heed  not 
to  disturb  Joanna." 

"And  so,"  said  I,  when  he  had  shortened  sail  and 
was  seated  beside  me  again,  "so  Captain  Penfeather 
gave  you  medicine  for  her.'^" 

"Aye,  did  he!" 

"And  knew  you  were  hid  in  the  boat.'''* 

"  'Twas  himself  set  us  there." 

Now  at  this  I  fell  to  profound  thought,  and  bethink- 
ing me  of  the  letter  and  chart  he  had  given  me,  I  took 
it  out  of  my  pocket  and  breaking  the  seals,  read  as 
here  followeth: 


146    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

Dear  Friend,  Comrade  and  Brother, 

Item:  Thou  art  a  fool!  Yet  is  there  (as  it  doth 
seem)  an  especial  Providence  for  such  fools,  in  par- 
ticular fools  of  thy  sort.  Thus  do  I  bid  thee  fare- 
well in  the  sure  hope  that  (saving  for  shipwreck,  fire, 
battle,  pestilence  and  the  like  evils)  I  shall  find  thee 
again  and  perchance  something  wiser,  since  Folly  plus 
Hardship  shall  mayhap  work  a  miracle  of  Wisdom. 

Herewith  I  have  drawn  you  a  chart,  the  parallels 
duly  marked  and  course  likewise,  whereby  you  shall 
come  (Providence  aiding)  unto  Nombre  de  Dios.  And 
so  to  your  vengeance,  Martin,  and  when  found  much 
good  may  it  do  thee  is  the  prayer  of 

Thy  patient,  hopeful,  faithful  friend, 

Adam. 

NoTA  Bene  :  Should  we  fail  to  meet  at  Nombre  de 
Dios  I  give  you  for  rendezvous  the  place  which  I  have 
clearly  marked  on  the  chart  (aforementioned)  with 
a  X. 

"Look'ee,  friend,"  said  Resolution,  when  I  had  made 
an  end  of  reading.  "You  plead  and  spoke  for  my 
life  of  Captain  Penfeather  and  he  regarded  your  will, 
wherefore  am  I  alive,  wherefore  are  we  quits  in  the 
matter  o'  the  heathen  Pompey  and  I  your  friend  hence- 
forth 'gainst  all  the  world,  saving  only  and  excepting 
Joanna." 

"Where  do  we  make  for,  Resolution?" 

"To  a  little  island  well  beknown  to  the  Fraternity, 
comrade — that  is  three  islands  close-set  and  called 
Foremast,  Main  and  Mizzen  islands,  amigo,  where  we 
are  apt  to  meet  friends,  as  I  say,  and  sure  to  find  good 
store  of  food  and  the  like,  brother.  Though  to  be 
sure  this  boat  is  right  well  equipped,  both  for  victuals 
and  weapons." 

"And  when  are  we  like  to  reach  these  islands?" 


Outcome  of  My  Prideful  Folly  147 

"We  should  raise  'em  to-morrow  about  dawn,  friend, 
if  this  wind  hold." 

"And  what  is  to  become  of  me,  Resolution?" 

"  'Tis  for  Joanna  to  say,  ca-marado.*' 

Now  hereupon,  stretched  out  in  such  shadow  as  our 
scant  sail  afforded  (the  sun  being  very  hot)  I  began 
to  reflect  upon  this  ill-chance  Fate,  in  the  person  of 
Adam,  had  played  me  (cast  again  thus  helpless  at  the 
mercy  of  Joanna)  and  instead  of  wasting  myself  in 
futile  rages  against  Adam  (and  him  so  far  out  of  my 
reach)  I  began  instead  to  cast  about  in  my  mind  how 
soonest  I  might  escape  from  this  hateful  situation; 
to  the  which  end  I  determined  to  follow  Resolution's 
advice  is  so  far  as  I  might,  viz:  to  preserve  towards 
Joanna  as  kindly  a  seeming  as  might  be,  and  here, 
chancing  to  look  where  she  lay,  I  saw  her  awake  and 
watching  me. 

"D'ye  grieve  for  your  Joan — Damaris — yes?"  she 
demanded  suddenly. 

"Nay— of  what  avail?" 

"Then  I  do — from  my  heart,  Martino,  from  my 
heart!  For  she  had  faith  in  me,  she  was  kind  to 
me,  oh,  kind  and  very  gentle!  She  is  as  I — might 
have  been,  perchance,  had  life  but  proved  a  little 
kinder." 

After  this  she  lay  silent  a  great  while  and  I  thought 
her  asleep  until  she  questioned  me  again  suddenly. 

"She  is  a  great  lady  in  England — yes?" 

"She  is." 

"And  yourself?" 

"An  outcast." 

"And  you — loved  each  other — ^long  since?" 

"Long  since." 

"But  I  have  you  at  the  last!"  cried  Joanna,  ex- 
ultant. "And  nought  shall  part  us  now  save  death 
and  that  but  for  a  little  while!  Dost  curse  thyself, 
Martino — dost  curse  thyself  for  saving  me  from  the 


148    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

fire?  But  for  this  I  had  been  dead  and  thou  safe  with 
thy  loved  Joan — dost   curse  thyself?" 

"Nay,  of  what  avail?" 

Now,  at  this,  she  falls  to  sudden  rage  and  revilings, 
naming  me  "stock-fish,"  "clod,"  "worm,"  anJ  the  like 
and  I  (nothing  heeding  her),  turning  to  behold  the 
gathering  clouds  to  windward,  met  the  glare  of  Reso- 
lution's fierce  eye. 

"Tell  me,"  cried  Joanna,  reaching  out  to  nip  my  leg 
'twixt  petulant  fingers,  "why  must  you  brave  the  fire 
to  save  me  you  do  so  hate — tell  me?" 

"Yonder,  as  I  judge,  is  much  wind.  Resolution !" 
said  I,  nodding  towards  a  threatening  cloud  bank. 
Hereupon  she  struck  at  me  with  passionate  fist  and 
thereafter  turns  from  me  with  a  great  sob,  whereat 
Resolution  growled  and  tapped  his  pistol  butt. 

"You  were  fool  to  save  me!"  cried  she.  "For  I, 
being  dead,  might  now  be  in  happy  circumstance  and 
you  with  your  Joan!     You  were  a  fool " 

"Howbeit  you  have  your  life,"  said  I. 

"Life?"  quoth  she.  "What  is  life  to  me  but  a  pain, 
a  grief  I  shall  not  fear  to  lose.  Life  hath  ever  brought 
me  so  much  of  evil,  so  little  good,  I  were  well  rid  of 
it  that  I  might  live  again,  to  find  perchance  those  joys 
but  dim  remembered  that  once  were  mine  in  better  life 
than  this.  And  now,  if  there  be  aught  of  food  and 
drink  aboard,  Resolution,  let  us  eat;  then  get  you  to 
sleep — you  will  be  weary,  yes." 

And  surely  never  was  stranger  meal  than  this, 
Joanna  and  Resolution,  the  compass  betwixt  them,  dis- 
cussing winds,  tides  and  weather,  parallels  of  latitude 
and  longitude,  the  best  course  to  steer,  etc.,  and  I 
watching  the  ever-rising  billows  and  hearkening  to  the 
piping  of  the  wind. 

Evening  found  us  running  through  a  troubled  sea 
beneath  an  angry  sky  and  the  wind  so  loud  I  might 
hear  nothing  of  my  companions  where  they  crouched 


Outcome  of  My  Prideful  Folly  149 

together  in  the  stern  sheets.  But  suddenly  Joanna 
beckoned  me  with  imperious  gesture: 

"Look,  Martino !"  cried  she,  with  hand  outflung 
towards  the  billows  that  foamed  all  about  us.  "Yon- 
der is  a  death  kinder  than  death  bv  the  fire  and  yet 
I  do  fear  this  more  than  the  fire  by  reason  of  this  my 
hateful  woman's  body.  Now  may  you  triumph  over 
my  weakness  an  you  will,  yet  none  can  scorn  it  more 
than  I " 

"God  forbid !"  said  I  and  would  have  steadied  her 
against  the  lurching  of  the  boat,  but  Resolution, 
scowling  at  my  effort,  clasped  her  within  his  arm, 
shielding  her  as  well  as  he  might  against  the  lashing 
spray,  bidding  me  let  be. 

Thereafter  and  despite  her  sickness,  she  must  needs 
stoop  to  cover  me  with  the  boat-cloak  where  I  lay,  and 
looking  up  at  Resolution  I  saw  his  bronzed  face  glinted 
with  moisture  that  was  not  of  the  sea. 


CHAPTER  XVIII 

Of  Roger  Tressady  and  How  tke  Silver  Woman 
Claimed  Her  Own  at  Last 

Starting  from  sleep,  instead  of  gloomy  heaven  and 
a  desolation  of  tempestuous  waters,  I  saw  this: 

The  sun,  newly  up,  shed  his  waxing  glory  on  troubled 
waters  deeply  blue  and  fringed  with  foam  where  the 
waves  broke  upon  a  narrow  strip  of  golden  sand  backed 
by  trees  and  dense-growing  green  boskages  infinite 
pleasant  to  the  sight;  and  beyond  these  greeny  tan- 
gles rose  a  hill  of  no  great  altitude,  deep-bowered  in 
trees  and  brush  and  flowering  vines.  And  viewing  all 
this  peaceful  loveliness  with  sleep-filled  eyes,  I  thought 
it  at  first  no  more  than  idle  dream;  but  presently, 
knowing  it  for  reality,  I  felt  my  hard  nature  touched 
and  thrilled  (as  it  were)  with  a  great  rush  of  tender- 
ness, for  what  with  this  glory  of  sun  and  the  thousand 
sweet  and  spicy  odours  that  wafted  to  us  from  this 
fair  island,  I  sudden  felt  as  if,  borne  on  this  well-re- 
membered fragrance,  came  the  sweet  and  gentle  soul 
of  my  lady  Joan,  a  haunting  presence,  sad  and  very 
plaintive,  for  it  seemed  she  knew  at  last  that  nought 
henceforth  might  stay  me  from  my  vengeance.  And 
in  my  ears  seemed  the  whisper  of  her  desolate  cry: 

"Martin — Oh,  blind  and  more  than  blind!  Alas, 
dear  Martin !" 

Now  at  this,  despite  the  joy  of  sun  and  the  gladness 
of  birds  that  shrilled  'mid  the  mazy  thickets  above, 
a  great  sadness  took  me  and  I  bowed  my  head  in 
gloomy  thought. 


Of  Roger  Tressady  151 

"Forward  there!'' 

Starting  at  this  hoarse  summons,  I  turned  to  behold 
Resolution  crouched  at  the  tiller,  his  great  boat-cloak 
white  with  brine,  his  solitary  eye  scowling  from  me  to 
the  shore  and  back  again. 

"Ha,  d'ye  stir  at  last,  sluggard?  Here's  Joanna 
been  direly  sick — speak  low,  she  sleeps  at  last,  poor 
lass — and  me  stiff  o'  my  wounds,  clemmed  wi'  hunger 
and  parched  wi'  thirst,  you  a-snoring  and  a  sea  worse 
than  Jonah's  afore  the}^  hove  him  to  the  whale " 

"Why  not  wake  me,  then?"  I  demanded,  creeping  aft 
and  beholding  Joanna  where  she  lay  slumbering,  pale 
and  worn  beneath  weather-stained  cloak.  "Why  not 
rouse  me,  Resolution?" 

"Because  she  forbade  me  and  her  word  is  my  law, 
d'ye  see?  Reach  me  a  sup  o'  rum  from  the  locker  yon- 
der." 

"You  have  brought  us  safe  through  the  tempest, 
then,"  said  I,  doing  as  he  bade  me. 

"Aye,  Joanna  and  I,  and  despite  her  qualms  and 
sickness,  poor  lass,  and  you  a-snoring!"  Here,  hav- 
ing drained  the  pannikin  of  rum,  his  eye  lost  something 
of  its  ferocity  and  he  nodded.  "Twice  we  came  nigh 
swamping  i'  the  dark  but  the  Lord  interposed  to  save 
His  own  yet  a  little,  and  you  a-snoring,  but  here  was 
Joanna's  hand  on  the  tiller  and  mine  on  the  sail  and 
plaguing  the  Almighty  -wi'  prayers  of  a  righteous, 
meek,  long-suifering  and  God-fearing  man  and  behold, 
comrade,  here  we  are,  safe  in  the  lee  of  Mizzen  Island, 
and  yonder  is  creek  very  apt  to  our  purpose.  So 
stand  by  to  let  go  the  halyard  and  ship  oars  when  I 
give  word,  aimgo.** 

"She  seems  very  worn  with  her  sickness.  Resolution  I" 
said  I,  stooping  to  observe  Joanna  where  she  slum- 
bered like  one  utterly  exhausted. 

"She  is,  friend !"  he  nodded.  "She  never  could  abide 
rough  seas  from  a   child,   d'ye  see,  brother,  and  her 


X52    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

wound  troubleth  her  yet — but  never  a  word  o'  com- 
plaint, comrade — aha,  a  great  soul,  a  mighty  spirit  is 
hers,  for  all  her  woman's  slenderness,  Martin !  Now, 
let  fly  your  halyard,  douse  your  sail — so!  Now  ship 
oars  and  pull,  camarado,  pull!" 

Very  soon,  myself  at  the  oars  and  Resolution  steer- 
ing, we  crept  in  betwixt  bush-girt  rocks  to  a  shelving, 
sandy  beach.  Hereupon,  Resolution  stooped  to  lift 
Joanna  but  finding  his  wounds  irk  him,  beckoned  to  me : 

"Come,  friend,"  said  he.  "You  are  lusty  and  strong, 
I  do  know — bear  her  ashore  and  tenderly,  '  rother,  ten- 
derly !" 

So  I  stooped  and  raising  Joanna  in  my  arms,  climbed 
out  of  the  boat  (though  with  no  little  to-do)  and  bore 
her  ashore  towards  the  pleasant  shade  of  flowering 
trees  adjacent  to  the  sea.  Now  presently  she  stirred 
in  my  embrace,  and  looking  down  at  her,  I  saw  her 
regarding  me,  great-eyed. 

"Here  do  I  rest  for  the  second  time,  Martino,"  she 
murmured.     "I  wonder — when  the  third  shall  be?" 

"God  knoweth !"  said  I ;  and  being  come  to  the  trees, 
I  laid  her  there  as  comfortably  as  I  might  and  went 
to  aid  Resolution  to  secure  the  boat. 

Having  landed  such  things  as  we  required  and 
lighted  a  fire,  while  Resolution  busied  himself  prepar- 
ing a  meal,  I  began  to  look  about  me  and  found  this 
island  marvellous  fertile,  for  here  on  all  sides  flowers 
bloomed,  together  with  divers  fruits,  as  lemons,  plan- 
tains, limes,  grapes,  a  very  wonder  to  behold.  Now 
I  chanced  to  reach  a  certain  eminent  place  whence  I 
might  behold  the  general  trend  of  the  island;  and  now 
I  saw  that  this  was  the  smallest  of  three  islands  arJ 
remembered  how  Resolution  had  named  them  to  me  as 
Fore,  Main  and  Mizzen  islands.  I  was  yet  staring 
at  these  islands,  each  with  its  fringe  of  white  surf  to 
windward  where  the  seas  yet  broke  in  foam,  when  my 
wandering  gaze  chanced  to  light  on  that  which  filled 


Of  Roger  Tressady  153 

me  with  sudden  and  strange  foreboding,  for,  plain  to 
my  view  despite  the  distance,  I  saw  the  royal  yards  and 
topgallant  masts  of  a  great  ship  (so  far  as  I  could 
judge)  betwixt  Fore  and  Mainmast  islands,  and  I  very 
full  of  question  as  to  what  manner  of  ship  this  should 
be. 

In  my  wanderings  I  chanced  upon  a  little  glen  where 
bubbled  a  limpid  stream  amid  a  very  paradise  of  fruits 
and  flowers;  here  I  sat  me  down  well  out  of  the  sun's 
heat,  and  having  drunk  my  fill  of  the  sweet  water,  fell 
to  munching  grapes  that  grew  to  hand  in  great,  pur- 
ple clusters.  And  now,  my  bodily  needs  satisfied  and 
I  stretched  at  mine  ease  within  this  greeny  bower  where 
birds  whistled  and  piped  joyously  amid  flowery  thick- 
ets and  the  little  brook  leapt  and  sang  as  (one  and 
all)  vaunting  the  wondrous  mercy  of  God,  I,  lying 
thus  (as  I  say)  surrounded  by  His  goodly  handiworks 
(and  yet  blind  to  their  message  of  mercy)  must  needs 
set  mv  wits  to  work  and  cast  about  in  my  mind  how 
I  might  the  soonest  win  free  of  this  goodly  place  and 
set  about  the  accomplishment  of  my  vengeance.^  Once 
or  twice  I  thought  to  hear  Resolution  hallooing  and 
calling  my  name  but,  being  drowsy,  paid  no  heed  and 
thus,  what  with  the  peace  and  comfort  of  my  sur- 
roundings, I  presently  fell  asleep. 

But  in  my  slumbers  I  had  an  evil  dream,  for  I 
thought  to  hear  a  voice,  hoarse  yet  tuneful,  upraised 
in  song,  and  voice,  like  the  song,  was  one  heard  long 
ago,  the  which  in  my  dreaming  troubled  me  mightily, 
insomuch  that  I  started  up  broad  awake  and  infinitely 
glad  to  know  this  no  more  than  idle  fancy.  Sitting 
up  and  looking  about  me,  I  saw  the  sun  low  and  nigh 
to  setting,  and  great  was  my  wonder  that  I  should 
have  slept  so  long,  yet  I  found  myself  vastly  invig- 
orated thereby  and  mightily  hungered,  therefore  I 
arose,  minded  to  seek  my  companions. 

But  scarce  was  I  gone  a  yard  than  I  stopped  all  at 


154    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

once,  as  from  somewhere  in  the  gathering  shadows 
about  me,  plain  to  be  heard,  came  the  sound  of  a  voice 
hoarse  but  tuneful,  upraised  in  song,  and  these  the 
words : 

"Some  hj  the  knife  did  part  wi'  life 
And  some  the  bullet  took  O. 
But  three  times  three  died  plaguily 
A-wriggling  on  a  hook  O. 
A  hook  both  long  and  sharp  and  strong 
They  died  by  gash  o*  hook  O." 

For  a  long  time  (as  it  seemed)  I  stood  motionless 
with  the  words  of  this  hateful  chanty  yet  ringing  in 
my  brain,  until  the  sun  flamed  seawards,  vanished,  and 
it  was  night.  And  here  amid  the  gloom  sat  I,  chin 
on  knees,  my  mind  busied  upon  a  thousand  memories 
conjured  up  by  this  evil  song.  At  last,  being  come 
to  a  determination,  I  arose  and,  stumbling  in  the  dark, 
made  the  best  of  my  way  towards  that  narrow,  shelv- 
ing beach  where  we  had  made  our  landing.  In  a  lit- 
tle, through  a  tangle  of  leafy  thickets,  I  espied  the 
glow  of  a  fire  and  heard  a  sound  of  voices ;  and  going 
thitherwards,  paused  amid  the  leaves  and  hid  thus, 
saw  this  fire  was  built  at  the  mouth  of  a  small  cave 
where  sat  Joanna  with  Resolution  at  her  elbow,  while 
opposite  them  were  five  wild-looking  rogues  with  mus- 
kets in  their  hands  grouped  about  a  tall,  great  fellow 
of  a  masterful,  hectoring  air,  who  stood  staring  down 
on  Joanna,  his  right  hand  upon  the  silver-hafted  dag- 
ger in  his  girdle  and  tapping  at  his  square  chin  with 
the  bright  steel  hook  he  bore  in  place  of  his  left  hand. 
And  as  he  stood  thus,  feet  wide  apart,  tapping  at  his 
chin  with  his  glittering  hook  and  looking  down  on 
Joanna,  she,  leaning  back  against  the  side  of  the  cave, 
stared  up  at  him  eye  to  eye. 

"So-ho  !'^  quoth  he  at  last.  "So  you  are  Captain 
Jo,  eh — Captain  Jo  of  the  Brotherhood?" 

"And  you,"  said  she  gently,  "you  are  he  that  killed 
my  father!" 


Of  Roger  Tressady  !i55 

Now  here  ensued  a  silence  wherein  none  moved,  it 
seemed,  only  I  saw  Resolution's  bony  hand  creep  and 
bury  itself  in  his  capacious  side  pocket.  Then,  putting 
by  the  screening  branches,  I  stepped  forth  into  the 
firelight. 

*'What,  Tressady,"  said  I,  "d'ye  cheat  the  gallows 
yet?" 

Almost  as  I  spoke  I  saw  the  flash  and  glitter  of  his 
whirling  hook  as  he  turned,  pinning  me  with  it  through 
the  breast  of  my  doublet  (but  with  so  just  a  nicety 
that  the  keen  point  never  so  much  as  touched  my 
skin)  and  holding  me  at  arm's  length  upon  this  hateful 
thing,  he  viewed  me  over,  his  pale  eyes  bright  beneath 
their  jut  of  shaggy  brow.  But  knowing  the  man 
and  feeling  Joanna's  gaze  upon  me,  I  folded  my  arms 
and  scowled  back  at  him. 

"Who  be  you,  bully,  who  and  what?"  he  demanded, 
his  fingers  gripping  at  the  dagger  in  his  girdle  whose 
silver  hilt  was  wrought  to  the  shape  of  a  naked  woman. 
'*Speak,  my  hearty,  discourse,  or  kiss  this  Silver 
Woman  o'  mine!" 

"I  am  he  that  cut  you  down  when  you  were  chok- 
ing your  rogue's  life  out  in  Adam  Penfeather's  noose 
— along  of  Abnegation  Mings  yonder ^" 

As  I  spoke  I  saw  Mings  thrust  away  the  pistol  he 
had  drawn  and  lean  towards  me,  peering. 

"Sink  me!"  cried  he.  "It's  him,  Roger;  'tis  Martin 
sure  as  saved  of  us  from  Penfeather,  curse  him,  on 
Bartlemy's  Island  three  years  agone — it's  him,  Roger, 
it's  him!" 

"Bleed  me!"  said  Tressady,  nodding.  "But  you're 
i'  th'  right  on't,  Abny.  You  ha'  th'  right  on't,  lad. 
'Tis  Marty,  sure  enough,  Marty  as  was  bonnet  to  me 
aboard  the  Faithftdl  Friend  and  since  he  stood  friend 
to  us  in  regard  to  Adam  Penfeather  (with  a'  curse!) 
it's  us  shall  stand  friends  t'  him.  Here's  luck  and  a 
fair  wind  t'  ye,  Marty !"     So  saying,  he  loosed  me  from 


156    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

his  hook,  and,  clapping  me  on  the  shoulder,  brought 
me  to  the  circle  about  the  fire. 

"Oh,  sink  me!"  cried  Mings,  flourishing  a  case-bot- 
tle under  my  nose.  "Bum  me,  if  this  aren't  pure  joy! 
I  know  a  man  as  don't  forget  past  benefits  and  that's 
Abnegation !  Sit  down,  Martin,  and  let  us  eat  and, 
which  is  better,  drink  together!" 

"Why,  so  we  will,  Abny,  so  we  will,"  said  Tressady, 
seating  himself  within  reach  of  Joanna.  "  'Twas  pure 
luck  us  falling  in  wi'  two  old  messmates  like  Marty 
and  Resolution  and  us  in  need  of  a  few  hell-fire,  roar- 
ing boys  I  'Tis  like  a  happy  family,  rot  me,  all  love 
and  good-fellowship  and  be  damned!  Come,  we'll  eat, 
drink  and  be  merry,  for  to-morrow — we  sail,  all  on  us, 
aboard  my  ship  Vengecmce,  as  lieth  'twixt  Fore  and 
Main  islands  3^onder,  ready  to  slip  her  moorings!" 

"Avast,  friend!"  said  Resolution,  blinking  his  soli- 
tary eye  at  Tressady.  "The  captain  o'  the  Coast 
Brotherhood  is  Joanna  here — Captain  Jo,  by  the 
Brotherhood  so  ordained;  'tis  Captain  Jo  commands 
here " 

"Say  ye  so,  Resolution,  say  ye  so,  lad?"  quoth  Tres- 
sady, tapping  at  chin  with  glittering  hook.  "Now 
mark  me — and  keep  both  hands  afore  ye — so,  my 
bully — hark'ee  now — there's  none  commands  where  I 
am  save  Roger  Tressady!"  said  he,  looking  round 
upon  us  and  with  a  flourish  of  his  hook.  "Now  if 
so  be  any  man  thinks  different,  let  that  man  speak 
out !" 

And  what  o'  Captain  Jo.^^"  demanded  Resolution. 
That !"  cried  Tressady,  snapping  finger  and  thumb. 
Captain  Jo  is  not,  henceforth — sit  still,  lad — so !  Now 
lift  his  barkers,  Abny — in  his  pockets.  Still  and  pa- 
tient, lad,  still  and  patient!"  So  Resolution  perforce 
suffered  himself  to  be  disarmed,  while  Joanna,  pale 
and  languid  in  the  firelight,  watched  all  with  eyes  that 
gleamed  beneath  drooping  lashes. 


u 


a 


Of  Roger  Tressady  157 

"So  now,"  quoth  Tressady,  "since  I  command  here, 

none  den3^ing " 

"And  what  o'  Captain  Jo?"  demanded  Resolution. 
"Why,  I'll  tell  ye,  bully,  look'ee  now!  A  man's  a 
man  and  a  woman's  a  woman,  but  from  report  here's 
one  as  playeth  t'other  and  which,  turn  about.  But 
'tis  as  woman  I  judge  her  best,  and  as  woman  she  sails 
along  o'  me,  lad,  along  o'  me  1"  So  saying,  he  nodded 
and  taking  out  a  case-bottle,  wrenched  at  the  cork  with 
his  teeth. 

"And  how  say  you,  Joanna.^"  questioned  Abnega- 
tion. 

"Tush !"  said  she,  with  a  trill  of  laughter.  "Here  is 
one  that  talketh  very  loud  and  fool-like  and  Sourisheth 
iron  claw  to  no  purpose,  since  I  heed  one  iio  more  than 

t'other " 

"Here's  death!"  cried  he  fiercely,  stabbing  the  aij 
with  his  hook.     "Death,  wench !" 

"Tush !"  said  she  again,  "I  fear  death  no  more  that. 
I  fear  you,  and  as  for  your  claw — go  scratch  where 
you  will!" 

Goaded  to  sudden  fury,  he  raised  his  hook  and  would 
have  smitten  the  slender  foot  of  her  that  chanced  within 
his  reach,  but  I  caught  his  arm  and  wrenched  him 
round  to  face  me. 

"Hold  off,  Tressady!"  said  I.  "Here's  a  man  to 
fight  an  you're  so  minded.  But  as  for  Joanna,  she's 
sick  of  her  wounds  and  Resolution's  little  better;  but 
give  me  a  knife  and  I'm  your  man!"  And  I  sprang 
to  my  feet.  Here  for  a  moment  Joanna's  eyes  met 
mine  full  of  that  melting  tenderness  I  had  seen  and 
wondered  at  before;  then  she  laughed  and  turned  to 
Tressady : 

"Sick  or  no,  I  am  Joanna  and  better  than  any  man 
o'  you  all,  yes.  Here  shall  be  no  need  for  fight,  for 
look  now,  Tressady,  though  you  are  fool,  you  are  ome 
I  have  yearned  to  meet — so  here's  to  our  better  ac- 


158    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

quaintance."  And  speaking,  she  leaned  forward, 
twitched  the  bottle  from  his  hand,  nodded  and  clapped 
it  to  her  mouth  all  in  a  moment. 

As  for  Tressady,  he  gaped,  scowled,  fumbled  with 
the  dagger  in  his  girdle,  loosed  it,  slapped  his  thigh 
and  burst  into  a  roar  of  laughter. 

"Oh,  burn  me,  here's  a  soul !"  he  cried.  "  'Tis  a 
wench  o'  spirit,  all  hell-fire  spirit  and  deviltry,  rot  me ! 
Go  to'tj  lass,  drink  hearty — here's  you  and  me  agin 
world  and  damn  all,  says  I.  Let  me  perish!"  quoth 
he,  when  he  had  drunk  the  toast  and  viewing  Joanna 
with  something  of  respect.  "Here's  never  a  man, 
woman  or  child  dared  so  much  wi'  Jolly  Roger  all  his 
days — oh,  sink  me!  Why  ha'  we  never  met  afore- — 
you  and  me  might  rule  the  Main " 

"I  do !"  said  she. 

"And  how  came  ye  here — in  an  open  boat.^^" 

"By  reason  of  Adam  Penfeather!" 

"What,  Adam  again,  curse  him!" 

"He  sank  the  Happy  Despatch!** 

"Burn  me !     And  there's  a  stout  ship  lost  to  us.'^ 

"But  then — we  stayed  to  fight,  yes !" 

"What  then?"  said  Tressady,  clenching  his  fist. 
**Will  ye  say  I  ran  away — we  beat  him  off!" 

"Howbeit  Adam  sank  and  took  us,  and  swears  to 
hang  you  soon  or  late — unless  you  chance  to  die  soon !" 

"Blind  him  for  a  dog — a  dog  and  murderous  rogue 
as  shall  bite  on  this  hook  o'  mine  yet !  A  small,  thiev- 
ing rogue  is  Penfeather " 

"And  the  likest  man  to  make  an  end  o'  the  Brother- 
hood that  ever  sailed !"  nodded  Joanna. 

"Where  lays  his  course.'^" 

"Who  knows !" 

"And  what  o'  Belvedere?" 

"Dead  and  damned  for  rogue  and  coward !" 

"Why,  then,  drink,  my  bullies,"  cried  Tressady,  with 
a  great  oath.     "Drink  battle,  murder,  shipwreck  and 


Of  Roger  Tressady  159 

hell-fire  to  Adam  Penfeather,  with  a  curse  I  Here's  us 
safe  and  snug  in  a  good  stout  ship  yonder,  here's  us 
all  love  and  good-fellowship,  merry  as  grigs,  happy 
as  piping  birds,  here's  luck  and  long  life  to  each  and 
all  on  us." 

"Long  life !"  said  Joanna,  frowning.  ''  'Tis  folly — 
I  weary  of  it  alreadj^ !" 

So  we  ate  and  drank  and  sprawled  about  the  fire 
until  the  moon  rose,  and  looking  up  at  her  as  she  sailed 
serene,  I  shivered,  for  to-night  it  seemed  that  in  her 
pallid  beam  was  something  ominous  and  foreboding,  and 
casting  my  eyes  round  about  on  motionless  tree  and 
shadowy  thicket  I  felt  my  flesh  stir  again. 

Now  ever  as  the  time  passed,  Tressady  drew  nearer 
and  nearer  to  Joanna,  until  they  were  sitting  cheek 
by  jowl,  he  speaking  quick  and  low,  his  pale  eyes  ever 
upon  her,  she  all  careless  languor,  though  once  I  saw 
her  take  hold  upon  his  gleaming  hook  and  once  she 
pointed  to  the  dagger  in  his  girdle  and  laughed ;  where- 
upon he  drew  it  forth  (that  evil  thing)  and  holding  it 
up  in  her  view  fell  suddenly  a-singing : 

"Oh,  I've  sought  women  everywhere 
North,  South  and  East  and  West; 
And  some  v/ere  dark  and  some  were  fair 
But  here's  what  I  love  best! 
Blow  high,  blow  low,  in  weal  or  woe 
My  Silver  "Woman's  best." 

Thus  sang  Tressady,  looking  from  the  languorous 
woman  at  his  side  to  the  languorous  woman  graven  on 
the  dagger-hilt  and  so  thrust  it  back  into  his  girdle. 

And  in  a  while  Joanna  rose,  drawing  the  heavy  boat- 
cloak  about  her  shapeliness: 

"There  is  a  small  bower  I  wot  of  down  in  the  shadows 
yonder  shall  be  my  chamber  to-night,"  said  she,  staring 
up  at  the  moon.  "And  so  good  night !  I'm  a-weary !" 
Then  she  turned,  but  doing  so  her  foot  touched  Reso- 
lution's leg  where  he  sat,  whereat  he  did  strange  thing, 
for  at  this  soft  touch  he  started,  glanced  up  at  her, 


i6o    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

his  eye  very  Tvide  and  bright,  and  I  saw  his  two  power- 
ful hands  become  two  quivering  fists,  yet  when  he  spoke 
his  voice  was  cahn  and  even. 

"Good  night,  Joanna — fair  dreams  attend  thee." 
Then  Joanna,  eluding  Tressady's  clutching  hand,  went 
her  way,  singing  to  herself  very  sweet  and  low. 

Hereupon  Tressady  grew  very  boisterous  and  merry 
and  perceiving  Mings  and  his  fellows  inclined  for 
slumber,  roared  them  to  wakefulness,  bidding  them 
drink  witli  him  and  damning  them  for  sleepy  dogs. 
Yet  in  a  while  he  fell  silent  also  and  presently  takes 
out  his  dagger  and  begins  fondling  it.  Then  all  at 
once  he  was  on  his  feet,  the  dagger  glittering  evilly  in 
his  hand  the  while  he  glared  from  me  to  Resolution  and 
back  again. 

"Good  night,  my  bullies!"  said  he.  "Good  night — 
and  let  him  follow  that  dare !"  And  with  a  sound  'twixt 
a  growl  and  a  laugh,  he  turned  and  strode  away,  sing- 
ing as  he  went.  Now  hereupon,  nothing  doubting  his 
intent,  I  sprang  to  my  feet  and  made  to  follow,  but 
felt  myself  caught  in  an  iron  grip  and  stared  down 
into  the  grim  face  of  Resolution. 

"Easy,  friend — sit  down,  comrade — ^here  beside  me, 
brother." 

"Aye,  truly,  you  were  wiser,  Martin!"  said  Mings, 
winking  and  tapping  the  pistol  in  his  belt. 

Now  Resolution  sat  in  the  mouth  of  the  small  cave 
I  have  mentioned  and  I  noticed  he  had  slipped  his  right 
hand  behind  him  and  sat  thus,  very  still,  his  gaze  on 
the  dying  fire  like  one  hearkening  very  eagerly  for 
distant  sounds,  wherefore  I  did  the  like  and  thus,  from 
somewhere  amid  the  shadowy  thickets,  I  heard  Tressady 
sing  again  that  evil  song  of  his : 

'Two  by  the  knife  did  lose  their  life 
And  three  the  bullet  took  O. 
But  three  times  tliree  died  plaguily 
A-wriggling " 


Of  Roger  Tressady  i6i 

The  singing  ended  suddenly  and  indescribably  in  a 
sound  that  was  neither  cry  nor  groan  nor  choke,  yet 
something  of  each  and  very  ghastly  to  be  heard. 

"What  was  yon !"  cried  Mings,  starting  and  blinking 
sleep  from  his  eyes  to  peer  towards  those  gloomy 
thickets. 

"What  should  it  be  but  Captain  Jo!"  said  Resolu- 
tion; and  now  I  saw  his  right  hand,  hid  no  longer, 
grasped  a  pistol  levelled  across  his  knees.  "Sit  still, 
all  on  ye,"  he  commanded.  "Let  a  man  move  a  leg 
and  that  man's  dead!  Mark  now  what  saith  Davy. 
*He  hath  graven  and  digged  a  pit  and  is  fallen  himself 
into  the  destruction  he  made  for  others.  For  his 
travail  shall  come  upon  his  own  head  and  his  wickedness 
fall  on  his  own  pate.'  " 

"Nay,  look'ee,"  says  Mings,  wiping  sweat  from  him, 
"nay,  but  I  heard  somewhat — aye,  I  did,  an  unchancy 
sound " 

"Peace,  Abnegation,  peace!"  quoth  Resolution. 
"Mew  not  and  hark  to  the  words  o'  Davy:  'The  Lord 
is  known  to  execute  judgment,  the  ungodly  is  trapped 
in  the  work  of  his  own  hands' " 

"Nay,  but,"  says  Mings,  pointing.  "See — who 
comes  yonder?" 

And  now  we  saw  Joanna,  a  dark  figure  against  the 
splendour  of  the  moon,  walking  daintily,  as  was  her 
wont,  and  as  she  came  she  falls  a-singing  that  same 
evil  song  I  had  heard  long  ago: 

"There's  a  fine  Spanish  dame 
And  Joanna's  her  name 
Shall  follow  wherever  ye  go 
Till  your  black  heart  shall  feel 
Your  own  cursed  steel " 

She  stopped  suddenly  and  stood  in  the  light  of  the 
fire,  looking  from  one  to  the  other  of  us  with  that  smile 
I  ever  found  so  hateful. 


i62    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

"I  am  Joanna,"  said  she  softly  and  nodding  at 
Mings;  "I  am  your  Captain  Jo  and  command  here. 
Get  you  and  your  fellows  aboard  and  wait  my  bidding." 

"Aye,  aye !"  said  Mings  in  strangled  voice,  his  eyes 
fixed  and  glaring,  "But  what  o'  Cap'n  Tressady.? 
Where's  my  comrade,  Roger?" 

From  behind  her  back  Joanna  drew  forth  a  slender 
hand,  awfully  bedabbled  and  let  fall  a  reeking  thing 
at  Abnegation's  feet  and  I  saw  this  for  Tressady's 
silver-hilted  dagger. 

"Black  Tressady  is  dead!"  said  she.  "I  have  just 
killed  him!" 

"Dead!"  gasped  Mings,   shrinking.      "Roger  dead! 

My    comrade — murdered — I "      Uttering   a    wild, 

passionate  cry  he  whipped  forth  his  pistol,  but  in  that 
moment  Resolution  fired,  and  rising  to  his  feet.  Abne- 
gation Mings  groaned  and  pitched  upon  his  face  and 
lay  mute  and  still. 

"Glory  to  God!"  said  Resolution,  catching  up  the 
dead  man's  weapon  and  facing  the  others.  "Come,  my 
lads,"  quoth  he;  "if  Tressady  be  as  dead  as  Mings, 
he  can't  walk,  wherefore  he  must  be  carried.  And 
wherefore  carried,  you'll  ask?  Says  I,  you  shall  take 
'em  along  wi'  you.  You  shall  bring  'em  aboard  ship, 
you  shall  tell  your  mates  as  Captain  Jo  sends  these 
dead  men  aboard  to  show  'em  she's  alive.  So  come  and 
bring  away  Tressady  first — march  it  is  for  Roger,  and 
Hvely,  lads !" 

Now  when  they  were  gone,  Joanna  came  beside  me 
where  I  sat  and  stood  a  while,  looking  down  on  me  in 
silence. 

"He  forced  me  to  it !"  said  she  at  last.  "Oh,  Mar- 
tino,  there — was  none  other  way.  And  he  killed  my 
father." 

But  I  not  answering,  she  presently  sighed  and  went 
away,  leaving  me  staring  where  Mings  lay  huddled 
beyond  the  dying  fire.    And  presently  my  gaze  chanced 


Of  Roger  Tressady  163 

to  light  on  Tressady's  dagger  of  the  Silver  Woman 
where  it  lay,  stained  by  his  life's  blood,  and  leaping 
to  my  feet,  I  caught  it  up  and  sent  the  evil  thing  whirl- 
ing and  glittering  far  out  to  sea. 


CHAPTER  XIX 
How  Joanna  Changed  Her  Min© 

"So  there's  an  end  o'  Tressad}^  and  Mings  and  their 
fellows,  comrade!"  said  Resolution,  staring  away  into 
distant  haze  where  showed  the  topsails  of  the  Vengecmce 
already  hull  down.  "And  God's  will  be  done,  says  I, 
though  here  be  we  as  must  go  solitary  awhile  and 
Joanna  sick  to  death,  comrade," 

"Resolution,"  said  I,  staring  up  at  his  grim  figure, 
"she  schemed  to  lure  Tressady  to  his  death?" 

"Aye,  she  did,  brother.  What  other  way  was  there? 
She  hath  wit  womanish  and  nimble " 

"She  smote  him  in  the  shadows " 

"Most  true,  friend!  She  hath  a  man's  will  and 
determination !" 

"He  had  no  chance " 

"Never  a  whit,  Martin !  She  is  swift  as  God's  light- 
ning and  as  infallible.  Roger  Tressady  was  an  evil  man 
and  the  evil  within  him  she  used  to  destroy  him  and 
all  very  right  and  proper!  And  now  she  lieth  sick 
in  the  cave  yonder  and  calls  for  you,  brother." 

So  I  arose  and  coming  within  the  cave  found  Joanna 
outstretched  upon  a  rough  bed  contrived  of  fern  and 
the  boat-cloaks. 

"Alas,  Martino,  I  cannot  sleep,"  said  she.  "I  am 
haunted  by  the  man  Tressady,  which  is  surel}''  very 
strange — oh,  very  strange.  For  he  was  evil  like  all 
other  men  save  you  and  Resolution — and  Adam  Pen- 
feather.  Can  you  not  say  somewhat  to  my  comfort? 
Did  he  not  merit  death?" 


How  Joanna  Changed  Her  Mind  165 

**Ave,  most  truly.  Had  you  not  killed  him — I 
4srould." 

"For  my  sake,  Martino?" 

"Aye,"  said  I,  "for  yours." 

"Why,  then  'tis  strange  I  should  grieve  thus — I  have 
killed  men  ere  this,  as  you  do  know,  nor  troubled; 
belike  'tis  my  sickness — or  the  memory  of  my  lady 
Joan — Damaris,  her  gentleness.  Howbeit  I  am  sorry 
and  sad  and  greatly  afraid." 

"Nay,"  said  I.  "What  should  fright  you  that  do 
fear  nothing?" 

"Myself,  Martino — I  have  been — minded  to  kill  you 
— more  than  once !" 

"Yet  do  I  live." 

"And  yet  do  I  fear!"  said  she,  with  a  great  sigh. 

"And  your  wound  pains  you  belike.'^" 

"A  little,  Martino." 

"Show  me!" 

Mutely  she  suffered  me  to  uncover  her  arm  and 
unwind  the  bandages  and  I  saw  the  tender  flesh  wap 
very  angry  and  inflamed,  whereupon  I  summoned 
Resolution  from  his  cooking,  who  at  my  desire  brought 
the  chest  of  medicines  with  water,  etc.,  and  set  myself 
to  soothe  and  cherish  this  painful  wound  as  gently  as 
I  might,  and  though  she  often  blenched  for  the  pain 
of  it  she  uttered  no  complaint. 

"Do  I  hurt  you  overmuch?"  I  questioned. 

"Nay,"  said  she,  catching  her  breath  for  pain  of 
it,  "I  am  none  so  tender.  D'ye  mind  how  I  burned  the 
boat  you  had  so  laboured  at?" 

"Aye,  I  do!" 

"And  how  I  gave  you  an  evil  draught  that  wai 
agony?" 

"Aye,  I  do  so !" 

"And  how  I  plagued  you ^" 

"Nay,  why  remember  all  this,  Joanna?'* 

'*It  helpeth  me  to  endure  this  painl" 


i66    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

When  I  had  anointed  and  bound  up  her  wound  she 
must  needs  praise  my  skill  and  vow  she  was  herself 
again  and  would  be  up  and  about,  whereat  Resolution 
reached  down  to  aid  her  to  rise,  but  this  I  would  by 
no  means  suffer,  telling  her  that  she  must  rest  and 
sleep  the  fever  from  her  blood.  At  this  she  scowled, 
then  all  of  a  sudden  laughed. 

"Why,  then,  you  shall  stay  and  talk  with  me!" 
"Rather     shall     Resolution     mix     you     a     sleeping 
draught." 

"Verily,  brother,  two  have  I  mixed,  but  she'll  not 
take  'em !" 

"Wh3%  then,  being  two  to  one,  we  must  force  her  to 
drink,"  said  I. 

"Force  her  to  drink,  comrade.'^  Force  Joanna — God's 

light !"  *■ 

"Mix  the  potion,  man,  or  teach  me !"  So  in  the  end 
Resolution  did  as  I  bade;  then  kneeling  beside  Joanna, 
I  raised  her  upon  my  arm  and  set  the  pannikin  to  her 
lips,  whereupon,  though  she  frowned,  she  presently 
drank  it  off  meekly  enough,  to  Resolution's  no  small 
wonder  and  her  own,  it  seemed. 

"I  grow  marvellous  obedient!"  said  she.  "And  'tis 
hateful  stufF!" 

"Now  sleep,"  quoth  I.     "  'Tis  life  to  you " 

"Wouldst  have  me  live,  to  plague  you  again,  may- 
hap.''"  she  questioned. 
"This  is  as  God  wills !" 

"Nay,  this  is  as  you  will,  Martino.  Wouldst  have 
me  live,  indeed.'^" 

Now  seeing  how  she  hung  upon  my  answer,  beholding 
the  wistful  pleading  of  her  look,  I  nodded. 
"Aye,  I  would  indeed !"  said  I. 

"Why,  then  I  will,  Martino,  I  will!"  And  smiling, 
she  composed  herself  to  slumber  and  smiling,  she  pres- 
ently fell  asleep,  whereupon  Resolution  crept  stealthily 
out  of  the  little  cave  and  I  after  him.     Being  out- 


How  Joanna  Changed  Her  Mind  167 

side,  he  turned  and  suddenly  caught  and  wrung  my 
hand. 

"Friend,"  said  he,  his  grim  features  relaxing  to 
unwonted  smile.  "Brother,  you  are  a  man — the  only 
man  could  ha'  done  it.  I  thought  Death  had  her  sure 
last  night,  she  all  of  a  fever  and  crying  out  for  Death 
to  take  her." 

"She'll  do  better  out  in  the  air  I"  said  I,  glancing 
about. 

"The  air,  comrade?" 

"Aye,  I  must  contrive  her  a  shelter  of  sorts  to  her 
comfort  where  she  may  sleep.  'Neath  yonder  tree 
should  serve " 

"She'll  live,  Martino,  she'll  live  and  all  by  reason  o' 
her  love  for  you — the  promise  you  made  her " 

"I  made  no  promise,  man !" 

"AVhy,  'twas  good  as  promise,  comrade." 

"How  so?" 

"'Wouldst  ha^  me  live,'  says  she,  Ho  plague  you 
again,'  says  she.  'Aye,  that  would  I  indeed,'  says  you ! 
And  what's  that  but  a  promise,  Martin  ?" 

"God  forgive  you !"  quoth  I.  "  'Twas  no  promise  I 
intended,  as  you  very  well  know." 

"Why,  as  to  that,  comrade,  how  if  Joanna  think 
as  I  think?" 

"  'Twill  be  vain  folly  1"  quoth  I  in  petulant  anger 
and  strode  away,  leaving  him  to  scowl  after  me,  chin 
in  hand. 

Howbeit  (and  despite  my  anger)  I  presently  took 
such  tools  as  we  had  and  set  about  making  a  small  hut 
or  rather  bower,  where  an  invalid  might  find  such 
privacy  as  she  wished  and  yet  have  benefit  of  the  pure, 
sweet  air  rather  than  lie  mewed  in  the  stifling  heat  of 
the  little  cave.  And  presently,  as  I  laboured,  to  me 
Cometh  Resolution  full  of  praise  for  my  handiwork  and 
with  proffer  of  aid.  At  this  I  turned  to  him  face  to 
face. 


i68     Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

"Did  I  make  Joanna  any  promise,  aye  or  no?"  I 
demanded. 

"Aye,  brother.  You  vowed  Joanna  must  live  to 
plague  you,  forsooth,  how  and  when  and  where  she 
would,  comrade.  In  the  which  assured  hope  she  lieth 
even  now,  sleeping  herself  to  health  and  strength  and 
all  to  pleasure  you,  Martin.  And  sure,  oh,  sure  you 
are  never  one  so  vile  to  deceive  the  poor,  sweet 
soul?" 

Now  perceiving  all  his  specious  sophistry  and  wilful 
misunderstanding  of  the  matter,  I  came  nigh  choking 
with  anger. 

"Liar!"  quoth  I.     "Liar!" 

"Peace,  brother,  peace  !'^  said  he.  "From  any  other 
man  this  were  a  fighting  word,  but  as  it  is,  let  us  reason 
together,  brother !    The  Lord  hath " 

"Enough!"  cried  I. 

"Friend,  the  Lord  hath  set " 

"Leave  Him  out !"  quoth  I. 

"What,  Martin — will  ye  blaspheme  now?  Oh,  shame 
on  ye!  'The  mouth  o'  the  blasphemer  is  as  an  open 
sepulchre!'  But  as  I  say,  the  Lord  hath  set  you  here 
i'  this  flowery  garden  like  Adam  and  her  like  Eve ^" 

"And  yourself  like  the  serpent !"  said  I. 

"Ha'  done,  Martin,  ha'  done !  'The  Lord  shall  root 
out  deceitful  lips  and  the  tongue  that  speaks  proud 
things  !'  mark  that !" 

"And  mark  you  this.  Resolution,  an  you  fill  Joanna's 
head  with  aught  of  such  folly,  whatsoever  sorrow  or 
evil  befalls  her  is  upon  your  head." 

"Why,  observe,  friend  and  brother,  for  any  man 
shall  cause  Joanna  such,  I  have  this,  d'ye  see!"  And 
he  showed  me  the  butt  of  the  pistol  in  his  pocket; 
whereat  I  cursed  him  for  meddlesome  fool  and  turning 
my  back  went  on  with  my  labour,  though  my  pleasure 
in  it  was  gone.  Howbeit  I  wrought  this,  rather  than 
sit  with  idle  hands,  wasting  myself  in  profitless  repiQ- 


How  Joanna  Changed  Her  Mind  169 

ing.  And  presently,  being  intent  on  the  business,  I 
forgot  all  else  and  seeing  this  little  bower  was  turning 
out  much  better  than  I  had  hoped,  I  fell  a-whistling, 
until,  hearing  a  step,  I  turned  to  find  Joanna  leaning 
upon  Resolution's  arm  and  in  her  eyes  such  a  look  of 
yearning  tenderness  as  filled  me  with  a  mighty  dis- 
quiet. 

"And  have  you — made  this  for — me,  Martino?"  she 
questioned,  a  little  breathlessly. 

"Aye,"  I  nodded,  "because  I  do  hate  idleness " 

"Hark  to  him !"  said  Resolution.  "And  him  pictur- 
ing to  me  how  snug  you  would  lie  here " 

"As  to  that.  Resolution,"  said  I,  scowling,  "you  can 
lie  anywhere." 

"Why,  true,"  said  he,  ignoring  my  meaning.  "Since 
Jo  sleeps  here,  I  shall  sleep  'neath  the  tree  hard  by, 
leaving  you  the  cave  yonder,  friend." 

That  night  Joanna  lay  in  the  bower  and  from  this 
time  she  mended  apace,  but  as  for  me,  with  every  hour 
my  impatience  to  be  gone  grew  upon  me  beyond  all 
measure,  and  as  the  time  passed  I  waxed  surly  and 
morose,  insomuch  that  upon  a  day  as  I  sat  frowning 
at  the  sea,  Joanna  stole  upon  me  and  stooping,  kissed 
my  hand  or  ever  I  might  stay  her. 

"Do  I  offend.'*"  she  questioned  with  a  strange,  new 
humility.  "Ah,  prithee,  why  art  grown  so  strange 
to  me?" 

"I  am  as  I  always  was !" 

"Na}',  in  my  sickness  thou  wert  kind  and  gentle " 

"So  should  I  have  been  to  any  other !" 

"You  builded  me  my  little  house.?" 

"I  had  naught  else  to  do." 

"Martino,"  said  she,  sinking  on  her  knees  beside 
me.  "Oh,  caro  mio,  if — if  you  could  kiss  me  in  my 
sickness  when  I  knew  naught  of  it — wherefore  not  now 
when  I  am  all  awake  and  full  of  life " 

"I  never  did!"  said  I,  speaking  on  rageful  impulse. 


1 70    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

"If  Resolution  told  you  this,  he  lies!"  At  this  she 
shrank  as  I  had  struck  her. 

"And  did  you  not — ^kiss  me  in  my  sickness — oncey 
no?" 

*'Never  once!" 

Here,  bowing  her  head  upon  her  hands,  she  rested 
silent  awhile. 

"Nay,  Joanna,  wherefore  seek  the  impossible.  In 
these  latter  days  I  have  learned  to — to  respect 
you " 

"Respect!"  cried  she,  clenching  her  fists.  "Rather 
give  me  hate;  'twere  easier  endured- ^" 

"Why,  then,  this  island  is  a  rendezvous  for  the 
Brotherhood,  soon  will  you  have  friends  and  comrades; 
give  me  then  the  boat  and  let  me  go " 

"To  seek  her?  Nay,  that  you  shall  never  do.  I 
will  kill  you  first,  yes — for  the  cold,  passionless  thing 
3^ou  are!"  So  she  left  me  and  knowing  that  she  wept, 
I  felt  greatly  heartsick  and  ashamed. 

Now  the  little  cave  wherein  I  slept  gave  upon  that 
stretch  of  sandy  beach  where  lay  the  boat  and  this 
night  the  weather  being  very  hot  and  no  wind  stirring, 
I  came  without  the  cave  and  sat  to  watch  the  play  of 
moonlight  on  the  placid  waters  and  hearken  to  their 
cool  plash  and  ripple.  Long  time  I  sat  thus,  my  mind 
full  of  foreboding,  mightily  cast  down  and  hot  with 
anger  against  Resolution,  whose  subtle  lies  had  set 
Joanna  on  this  vain  folly  of  love,  teaching  her  hopes 
for  that  which  might  never  be;  and  guessing  some  of 
her  pain  therefor,  I  grieved  for  her  and  felt  myself 
humbled  that  I  (though  all  unwitting)  should  cause 
her  this  sorrow. 

Sitting  thus,  full  of  heavy  thoughts,  my  gaze  by 
chance  lighted  upon  the  boat  and,  obeying  sudden 
impulse,  I  arose  and  coming  hither,  fell  to  sudden 
temptation,  for  here  she  lay  afloat;  once  aboard  it 
needed  but  to  slip  her  moorings  and  all  these  my  pres- 


How  Joanna  Changed  Her  Mind  171 

ent  troubles  would  be  resolved.  And  yet  (thinks  I) 
by  so  doing  I  should  leave  two  people  on  this  solitary 
island  cut  off  from  their  kind.  And  yet  again  they 
run  no  chance  of  hardship  or  starvation,  God  knows, 
and  this  being  a  known  meeting-place  for  their  fellows, 
they  shall  not  lack  for  company  very  long. 

I  was  yet  debating  this  in  my  mind  when,  roused 
by  a  sound  behind  me,  I  turned  to  find  Resolution 
scowling  on  me  and  pistol  in  hand. 

"Ha  !"  said  he  'twixt  shut  teeth,  "I  ha'  been  expecting 
this  and  watched  according.  So  you'll  steal  the  boat, 
will  ye — leave  us  marooned  here,  will  ye.'^" 

"I  haven't  decided  yet!"  quoth  I. 

"And  what's  to  let  me  from  shooting  ye?" 

"Nought  in  the  world,"  said  I,  watching  for  a  chance 
to  close  with  him,  "only  bear  witness  I  have  not  touched 
rope  or  timber  yet " 

"  'Tis  a  rule  o'  the  Coast  to  shoot  or  hang  the  like 
o'  you!"  quoth  he,  and  I  heard  the  sharp  click  of  the 
pistol  as  he  cocked  it  and  then  with  a  flutter  of  petti- 
coats Joanna  burst  upon  us. 

"Resolution,  what  is't?"  she  questioned  breathlessly, 
looking  from  one  to  other  of  us. 

"He  was  for  stealing  the  boat,  Jo !" 

"Is  this  true?"  she  demanded,  her  face  set  and  very 
pale.  But  here,  seeing  speech  was  vain,  I  shook  my 
head  and  turning  my  back  on  them  came  into  my  cave 
and  cast  myself  down  on  my  rough  bed.  Lying  thus 
I  heard  the  murmur  of  their  talk  a  great  while,  yet  I 
nothing  heeded  until  Joanna  spoke  close  without  the 
cave. 

"Bide  you  there.  Resolution!"  Then  the  moonlight 
was  dimmed  and  I  saw  her  form  outlined  in  the  mouth 
of  the  cave. 

"What  would  you,  Joanna?"  said  I,  starting  ug^. 

"Talk  with  you  a  small  while,"  said  she  and  came 
where  we  might  behold  each  other.    "Nay,  do  not  fear. 


172    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

I  will  come  no  nearer,  only  I  would  speak  to  you  now 
as  I  would  speak  if  I  lay  a-dying,  I  would  have  you 
answer  as  you  would  if — if  Death  stood  ready  to  strike 
these  our  bodies  and  bear  our  souls  out  to  the  infinite 
and  a  better  life." 

"Speak !"  said  I,  wondering  to  see  her  shaken  as  by 
an  ague-fit. 

"You  do  not — love  me,  then.''    No?" 

"No." 

"You — never  could  love  me,  mind  and  heart  and 
body.?     No.?" 

"No." 

"You  could  not  endure  me  beside  you,  to — to  live — 
with  me  near  you.?" 

"  'Twould  mean  only  pain,  Joanna." 

"Then  go !"  cried  she.  "I  am  not  so  base-souled  to 
weep  and  wheedle,  to  scheme  and  pray  for  thing  that 
can  never  be  truly  mine,  or  to  keep  you  here  in  hated 
bondage — go  !  The  boat  lieth  yonder ;  take  her  and 
what  3^ou  will — only — get  you  gone!" 

Now  at  this  I  rose  and  would  have  taken  her  hands 
but  she  snatched  them  behind  her,  and  now  I  wondered 
at  her  deathly  pallor, — her  very  lips  were  pale  and  set. 

"Joanna,"  I  stammered,  "do  you  mean — am  I " 

"Go !" 

"Nay,  first  hear  me  say  that  wheresoever  I  go  needs 
must  I " 

"Respect  me!"  cried  she  with  a  strange,  wild  laugh. 
"Oh,  begone!" 

"Joanna,"  said  I,  "for  any  harsh  word  I  have  spoke 
you  in  the  past,  for  any  pain  you  have  suffered  because 
of  me,  I  do  most  surely  grieve  and  would  most  humbly 
crave  your  forgiveness  and  for  this  generous  act 
I— I " 

"Respect  me?"  said  she  in  a  small  voice.  "Ah,  can- 
not you  see — how  you — hurt  me?"  And  now  all  sud- 
denly I  did  strange  thing  for,  scarce  knowing  what  { 


How  Joanna  Changed  Her  Mind  173 

did,  I  caught  her  in  my  arms  and  kissed  her  hair,  her 
eyes,  her  cold  lips  and  then,  half  ashamed,  turned  to 
leave  her. 

"Stay!"  said  she,  but  I  never  heeded.  "Martino!" 
she  called,  but  I  never  paused;  and  then,  being  come 
to  the  mouth  of  the  cave,  I  heard  the  quick,  light  sound 
of  her  feet  beliind  me  and  as  I  stepped  into  the  moon- 
light felt  two  arms  that  swung  me  aside,  saw  Joanna 
leap  before  me  as  the  night-silence  was  split  by  a  ring- 
ing, deafening  roar;  and  then  I  had  her  in  my  arms 
and  she,  smiling  up  at  me  with  blood  upon  her  lips,  hid 
her  face  in  my  breast.  "Here  in  thine  arms  do  I  lie 
for  the  third  time — and  last,  Martino !"  she  sighed,  and 
so  Resolution  found  us. 

"What!"  he  gasped.     "Oh,  God!     What .?" 

"Some  one  has  shot  Joanna!" 

"Aye,  Martin,  'twas  I!"  and  I  saw  the  pistol  yet 
smoking  in  his  hand — "I  shot  her  thinking  'twas  you 
—Oh,  God!" 

"Nay,  Resolution,"  said  Joanna,  opening  her  eyes. 
"You  did  very  right — 'twas  only  that  I — being  a 
woman — changed  my  mind — at  the  last.  'Twas  I  bid 
him — kill  you,  Martino — if  you  came  forth,  but  I — 
I  dreamed  you — 3'ou  would  not  leave  me.  Nay,  let  be, 
Resolution,  I'm  a-dying — yes!" 

"Ah,  forbid  it,  God — Oh,  God  of  Mercies,  spare 
her !"  he  cried,  his  hands  and  eyes  uplift  to  the  radiant, 
starry  heavens. 

"Nay,  grieve  not.  Resolution — dear  friend!"  she 
murmured  painfully.  "For  oh,  'tis — a  good  thing  to 
die — by  your  hand  and  ^-ith — such  reason!  Martino, 
when — you  shall  wed  your  Joan — Damaris,  say  I — 
gave  you  to  her  with — my  life  because  I  loved  you — 
better  than  life — and  Death  had — no  fears.  I  go  back 
to  life — a  better  life — where  I  shall  find  you  one  day, 
Martino,  and  learn  what — happiness  is  like — mayhap. 
Resolution,"  she  whispered,  "when  I — am  dead,  do  not 


174    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

let  me  lie  a  poor,  pale  thing  to  grieve  over — bury  me 
— ^bury  me  so  soon  as  I — am  dead.  Dig  me  a  grave — 
above  the  tide !     Promise  this  !" 

"I  promise!" 

"Now  kiss  me — you  were  ever  true  and  kind — ^kiss 
me?  And  you,  Martino,  wilt  kiss  me — not  in  gratitude 
— this  last  time?"  And  so  I  kissed  her  and  thereafter 
she  lay  silent  awhile,  looking  up  at  me  great-eyed. 

"Somewhere,"  she  whispered,  "some  day — we  shall 
— meet  again,  beloved — ^but  now  is — farewell.  Oh,  'tis 
coming — 'tis  coming,  Martino !"  And  then  in  stronger 
voice,  "Oh,  Death !"  she  cried.  "Oh,  welcome  Death — • 
I  do  not  fear  thee !  Lift  me,  Martino — lift  me — let  me 
die — upon  my  feet !" 

Very  tenderly  w^e  lifted  her  betwixt  us  and  then  sud- 
denly with  a  soft,  murmurous  cry,  she  lifted  her  arms 
to  the  glory  of  the  wide  firmament  above  us  and  with 
shuddering  sigh  let  them  slowly  fall,  and  with  this  sigh 
the  strange,  wild  soul  of  her  sped  away  back  to  the 
Infinite  whence  it  had  come. 

And  now  Resolution,  on  his  knees  beside  this  slender 
form  that  lay  so  mute  and  still,  broke  out  into  great 
and  awful  sobs  that  were  an  agony  to  hear. 

"Dead !"  he  gasped.  "Oh,  God — dead !  And  by  my 
hand!  I  that  loved  her  all  her  days — that  would  ha' 
died  for  her — Oh,  smite  me,  merciful  God — cast  forth 
Thy  lightnings — shoot  forth  Thine  arrows  and  con- 
sume me  an  Thou  be  merciful  indeed."  All  at  once  he 
arose  and  hasting  away  on  stumbling  feet,  presently 
came  back  again,  bearing  spade  and  mattock. 

"Come,  friend,"  said  he  in  strange,  piping  tones. 
"Come  now,  let  us  dig  grave  and  bury  her,  according  to 
my  promise.  Come,  brother!"  Now  looking  on  him  as 
he  stood  all  bowed  and  shaking,  I  saw  that  he  was  sud- 
denly become  an  old  man;  his  twisted  frame  seemed 
shrunken,  while  spade  and  mattock  shook  and  rattled 
in  his  palsied  hands.      "Come,   lad,   come!"   cried  he 


How  Joanna  Changed  Her  Mind  175 

quei-ulously.  "Why  d'ye  gape — bring  along  the  body ; 
'tis  nought  else !  Ah,  God,  how  still  now,  she  that  was 
so  full  o'  life!  Bring  her  along  to  high  water-mark 
and  tenderly,  friend,  ah,  tenderly,  up  wi'  her  to  your 
heart !"  So  I  did  as  he  bade  and  followed  Resolution's 
bowed  and  limping  form  till  he  paused  well  above  where 
any  sea  might  break  and  hard  beside  a  great  rock. 

"She'll  lie  snug  here,  friend,"  quoth  he,  "snug  against 
howling  wmd  and  raging  tempest!"  So  together  we 
dug  the  grave  deep  within  that  shehdng,  golden  sand, 
and  laying  her  tenderly  therein,  knelt  together  while 
the  moon  sank  and  shadows  lengthened ;  and  when  Reso- 
lution had  recited  the  prayers  for  the  dead,  he  broke 
into  a  passion  of  prayer  for  himself,  which  done  we 
rose  and  plied  spade  and  mattock  in  silence ;  nor  would 
Resolution  pause  or  stay  until  we  had  raised  mound 
sufSciently  high  to  please  him.  When  at  last  all  was 
completed  to  his  satisfaction,  he  dropped  his  spade  and 
wiping  sweat  from  him  seated  himself  beside  the  grave, 
patting  the  mound  very  tenderly  with  his  open  palm. 

"The  moon  is  wondrous  bright,  friend,"  said  he, 
staring  up  at  it,  "but  so  have  I  seen  it  many  a  night ; 
but  mark  this,  never  in  all  our  days  shall  we  see  again 
the  like  o'  her  that  sleeps,  Martino,  that  sleeps — below 
here!"  And  here  he  falls  to  soft  mutterings  and  to 
patting  that  small  mound  of  sand  again. 

"Come!"  said  I  at  last,  touching  his  bowed  shoulder. 
"Come !" 

"Where  away,  camaradof*  he  questioned,  looking 
up  at  me  vacantly.  "Nay,  I'm  best  here — mayhap 
she'll  be  lonesome-like  at  first,  so  I'll  bide  here,  lad, 
I'll  bide  here  a  while.  Go  your  ways,  brother,  and  leave 
old  Resolution  to  pray  a  little,  aye — and,  mayhap  weep 
-a  little,  if  God  be  kind." 

So  in  the  end  I  turned,  miserably  enough,  and  left 
him  crouched  there,  his  head  bowed  upon  liis  breast. 
And  in  my  mind  was  horror  and  grief  and  something 


176    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

beside  these  that  filled  me  with  a  great  wonder.  Reach- 
ing the  cave,  I  saw  the  sand  there  all  trampled  and 
stained  with  the  blood  she  had  shed  to  save  mine  own, 
and  hard  beside  these,  the  print  of  her  slender  foot. 
And  gazing  thus,  I  was  of  a  sudden  blinded  by  scorching 
tears,  and  sinking  upon  my  knees  I  wept  as  never  before 
in  all  my  days.  And  then  sprang  suddenly  to  my  feet 
as,  loud  upon  the  air,  rang  out  a  shot  that  seemed  to 
echo  and  re-echo  in  my  brain  ere,  turning,  I  began  to 
run  back  whence  I  had  come. 

And  so  I  found  Resolution  face  down  across  the 
mound  that  marked  Joanna's  grave,  his  arms  clasped 
about  it  and  on  his  dead  face  the  marks  of  many  tears. 


CHAPTER  XX 

I  Go  TO  Seek  My  Vengeance 

Next  day,  just  as  the  sun  rose,  I  buried  Resolution 
'twixt  Joanna  and  the  sea,  yet  over  him  I  raised  no 
mound,  since  I  judged  he  would  have  it  so.  Thereafter 
I  ate  and  drank  and  stored  the  boat  with  such  things 
as  I  needed  for  my  voyage  and  particularly  with  good 
supply  of  fruits.  And  now,  though  the  wind  and  tide 
both  served  me,  I  yet  lingered,  for  it  seemed  that  the 
spirit  of  Joanna  still  tarried  hereabouts.  Moved  by 
sudden  desire,  I  began  searching  among  the  tumbled 
boulders  that  lay  here  and  there  and  presently  finding 
one  to  my  purpose,  urged  it  down  the  sloping  beach 
and  with  infinite  pains  and  labour  contrived  at  last 
to  set  it  up  at  the  head  of  Joanna's  resting-place. 
Then,  taking  hammer  and  chisel,  I  fell  to  work  upon 
it,  heedless  of  sun-glare,  of  thirst,  fatigue  or  the  lapse 
of  time,  staying  not  till  my  work  was  complete,  and 
this  no  more  than  two  words  cut  deep  within  the 
enduring  stone ;  these : 

JOANNA 
VNFEARING 

And  now  at  last,  the  tide  being  on  the  turn,  I  un- 
moored the  boat,  and  thrusting  her  off,  clambered 
aboard  and  betook  me  to  the  oars,  and  ever  as  I  rowed 
I  kept  my  gaze  upon  that  small,  solitary  heap  of  sand 
until  it  grew  all  blurred  upon  my  sight.  Having  pres- 
ently made  sufficiest  headway,  I  unshipped  oars  and 


178     Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

hoisting  my  sail,  stood  out  into  the  immeasurable  deep 
but  with  my  eyes  straining  towards  that  stretch  of 
golden  sand  where  lay  all  that  was  mortal  of  Joanna. 

And  with  my  gaze  thus  fixed,  I  must  needs  wonder 
what  was  become  of  the  fiery,  passionate  spirit  of  her, 
that  tameless  soul  that  was  one  wath  the  winds  and 
stars  and  ocean,  even  as  Resolution  had  said.  And 
thus  I  presently  fell  a-p raying  and  my  cheek  wet  with 
tears  that  I  thought  no  shame.  When  I  looked  up, 
I  saw  that  the  narrow  strip  of  beach  was  no  longer 
in  sight:  Joanna  had  verily  gone  out  of  my  life  and 
was  but  a  memory. 

All  afternoon  I  held  on  before  a  fair  wind  so  that 
as  the  sun  sank  I  saw  the  three  islands  no  more  than  a 
faint  speck  on  the  horizon ;  wherefore,  knowing  I 
should  see  them  no  more  in  this  life,  I  uncovered  my 
head,  and  thus  it  was  indeed  I  saw  Joanna's  resting- 
place  for  the  last  time. 

And  now  as  the  sun  slipped  westward  and  vanished 
in  glory,  even  now  as  night  fell,  I  had  a  strange  feeling 
that  her  spirit  was  all  about  me,  tender  and  strong 
and  protecting,  and  herein,  as  the  darkness  gathered, 
I  found  great  comfort  and  was  much  strengthened  in 
the  desperate  venture  I  was  about. 

Having  close-reefed  my  sail  and  lashed  the  tiller,  I 
rolled  myself  in  a  boat-cloak  and,  nothing  fearing, 
presentl}^  fell  asleep  and  dreamed  Joanna  sat  above  me 
at  the  helm,  stooping  to  cover  me  from  the  weather 
as  she  had  done  once  before. 

Waking  next  morning  to  a  glory  of  sun,  I  ate  and 
drank  (albeit  sparingly)  and  fell  to  studying  Adam's 
chart,  whereby  T  saw  I  must  steer  due  southwesterly 
and  that  by  his  calculation  I  should  reach  the  mainland 
in  some  five  or  six  days.  Suffice  it  that  instead  of  five 
days  it  was  not  until  the  tenth  day  (my  water  being 
nigh  exhausted  and  I  mightily  downcast  that  I  had 
sailed  out  of  my  proper  course)  that  I  discovered  to 


I  Go  to  Seek  My  Vengeance    179 

my  inexpressible  joy  a  faint,  blue  haze  bearing  westerly 
that  I  knew  must  be  the  Main.  And  now  the  wind  fell 
so  that  it  was  not  until  the  following  morning  that  I 
steered  into  a  little,  green  bay  where  trees  grew  to  the 
very  water's  edge  and  so  dense  that,  unstepping  my 
mast,  I  began  paddling  along  this  green  barrier,  look- 
ing for  some  likely  opening,  and  thus  presently  came 
on  a  narrow  cleft  'mid  the  green  where  ran  a  small 
creek  roofed  in  with  branches,  vines  and  twining 
boughs,  into  which  I  urged  my  boat  forthwith  (and 
no  little  to-do)  and  passed  immediately  from  the  hot 
glare  of  sun  into  the  cool  shade  of  trees  and  tangled 
thickets.  Having  forced  myself  a  passage  so  far  as 
I  might  by  reason  of  these  leafy  tangles,  my  next 
thought  was  to  select  such  things  as  I  should  need  and 
this  took  me  some  time,  I  deeming  so  many  things  essen- 
tial since  I  knew  not  how  far  I  might  have  to  tramp 
through  an  unknown  country,  nor  in  what  direction 
Nombre  de  Dios  lay.  But  in  the  end  I  narrowed  down 
my  necessities  to  the  following,  viz: 

A  compass 

A  perspective-glass 

A  sword 

Two  pistols 

A  gun  with  powder-horn  and  shot  for  same 

A  light  hatchet 

A  tinder-box  and  store   of  buccaned  meat 

And  now,  having  belted  on  sword  and  pistols  and 
wrapping  the  other  things  in  one  of  the  boat-cloaks, 
I  strapped  the  unwieldy  bundle  to  my  shoulders  and 
taking  up  the  gun,  scrambled  ashore,  and  having  found 
my  bearing,  set  off  due  southwesterly. 

Hour  after  hour  I  struggled  on,  often  having  to  hew 
myself  a  passage  with  my  axe,  until  towards  evening  I 
came  out  upon  a  broad  ride  or  thoroughfare  amid  the 
green,  the  which  greatly  heartened  me,  since  here  was 
evidence  of  man's  handiwork  and  must  soon  or  late 


i8o    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

bring  me  to  some  town  or  village ;  forthwith,  my  weari- 
ness forgotten,  I  set  off  along  this  track,  my  face  set 
ever  westwards ;  but  presently  my  vaunting  hopes  were 
dashed  to  find  the  track  could  be  very  little  used  now- 
adays, since  here  and  there  great  trees  had  fallen  and 
lay  athwart  my  going,  and  presently  the  way  itself 
narrowed  to  a  mere  path  and  this  crossed  here  and 
there  by  hanging  vines  which  was  sure  proof  that  few, 
if  any,  had  passed  this  way  these  many  months,  mayhap 
years.  Hereupon  I  stopped  to  lean  despondent  on  my 
gun  and  looked  about  me;  and  with  dejection  of  mind 
came  weariness  of  body  and  seeing  night  was  at  hand, 
I  determined  to  go  no  farther  and  turned  in  among 
the  trees,  minded  to  sleep  here,  though  the  place  was 
wild  and  forbidding  enough. 

I  had  just  loosed  off  my  heavy  pack  when  the  per- 
vading stillness  was  broken  by  a  wailing  cry,  so  sudden, 
so  shrill  and  evil  to  hear  that  my  flesh  crept  and  I 
huddled  against  a  tree,  peering  into  the  deepening 
shadows  that  had  begun  to  hem  me  in.  At  first  I 
judged  this  some  wild  beast  and  reached  for  my  musket ; 
then,  as  the  sound  rose  again,  I  knew  this  for  human 
cry,  for  I  heard  these  words : 

"Mercy,  senors,  mercy  for  the  love  o'  God !" 
Hereupon  I  began  to  run  towards  whence  came  this 
dismal  outcry  and  presently  espied  the  glow  of  a  fire, 
and  creeping  thither  discovered  four  men  grouped 
about  a  fifth  and  him  fast  bound  to  a  tree,  and  this  poor 
wretch  they  were  torturing  with  a  ramrod  heated  in 
the  fire;  even  as  I  watched  he  writhed  and  screamed 
for  the  intolerable  pain  of  it.  Staying  for  no  more, 
I  burst  upon  them  and  levelling  my  piece  at  the  chief 
tormentor,  pulled  the  trigger,  whereupon  was  no  more 
than  a  flash  of  the  flint ;  it  seemed  that  in  my  hurry 
to  begone  I  had  forgotten  to  load  it.  Howbeit,  loaded 
or  not,  it  served  me  well  enough,  for,  swinging  it  by 
the  barrel,  I  was  upon  them  or  ever  they  were  aware 


I  Go  to  Seek  My  Vengeance    i8i 

and  smote  down  two  of  the  rogues,  whereupon  their 
comrades  betook  them  to  their  heels  with  the  utmost 
precipitation.  I  therefore  proceeded  to  cut  the  sufferer 
loose  who,  sinking  to  the  earth,  lay  there,  muttering 
and  groaning. 

"Are  ye  much  hurt.'^"  I  questioned,  stooping  above 
him:  whereupon  he  spat  forth  a  string  of  curses  by 
which  I  judged  him  English  and  very  far  from  dying 
as  I  had  feared.  I  now  found  myself  master  of  four 
very  good  guns,  a  sword,  a  steel  headpiece,  two  cloaks 
and  other  furniture,  with  food  a-plenty  and  three  flasks 
of  wine.  I  was  yet  examining  these  and  watching 
against  the  return  of  their  late  owners  when,  hearing 
a  sound,  I  saw  the  late  poor  captive  bending  above  the 
two  men  I  had  felled. 

"Are  they  dead  ?"  I  questioned. 

"Nay,  not  yet,  master;  give  'em  six  minutes  or  say 
ten  and  they'll  be  as  dead  as  the  pig  you  ate  of 
last " 

"How  so.?"  I  demanded,  staring  at  the  wild,  ragged 
figure  of  the  speaker. 

"By  means  o'  this,  master!"  said  he,  and  stooping 
towards  the  fire  showed  me  a  middling-sized  black 
thorn  upon  his  open  palm.  "Not  much  to  look  at, 
master — no,  but  'tis  death  sure  and  sarten,  howsom- 
ever.  I've  many  more  besides ;  I  make  'em  into  darts 
and  shoot  'em  through  a  blowpipe — a  trick  I  larned 
o'  the  Indians.  Aye,  I  spits  'em  through  a  pipe — which 
is  better  than  your  guns — no  noise,  no  smoke,  and  sure 
death  wherever  it  sticketh." 

"Are  you  an  Englishman?" 

"I  am  that !  Bom  within  sound  o'  Bow  Bells ;  'tis 
all  o'  twenty  years  since  I  heard  'em  but  they  ring  in 
my  dreams  sometimes.  I  shipped  on  la  venture  to  the 
Main  twenty  years  ago  and  fought  and  rioted  as  a 
man  may  and  by  ill-luck  fell  into  the  hands  o'  the 
bloody   Spaniards  along  o'  six  other  good  lads — all 


r 

182    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

dead  long  since,  master.  Then  the  Inquisition  got  me 
and  was  going  to  bum  me  but  not  liking  the  thought 
on't,  I  turned  Roman.  Then  they  made  me  a  slave, 
but  I  got  away  at  last.  Aha,  all  Spanishers  are  devils 
for  ciTielty,  but  their  Churchmen  are  worst  and  of  all 
their  Churchmen  the  coldest,  softest,  bloodiest  is  Alexo 
Valdez,  Chief  Inquisitor  of  Nombre  de  Dios  yon- 
der  " 

"Ha,  you  know  Nombre  de  Dios?'^ 

"I  ha'  lived  and  suffered  there,  master,  and  'tie 
there  I  be  a-going  for  to  make  an  end  o'  Bloody 
Valdez,  if  God  be  kind." 

"Then,"  said  I,  "we  will  travel  so  far  together " 

"And  what  doth  an  Englishman  the  like  o'  you  want 
with  the  accursed  place;  the  Inquisition  is  strong 
there " 

"  'Tis  a  matter  of  life  and  death,"  said  I. 

"Death!"  said  he,  "Death — they  should  all  be  dead 
and  rotting,  if  I  had  my  way."  So  saying,  this  strange 
man,  whose  face  I  had  scarce  seen,  laid  him  down 
beyond  the  fire  and  composed  himself  to  slumber. 

"How  then,"  I  demanded,  "will  ye  sleep  here  in  the 
wild  and  no  watch?" 

"I  will  that !"  said  he.  "I  know  the  wilderness  and 
I  have  endured  much  o'  hardship  o'  late  and  as  to 
watching,  there's  small  need.  The  rogues  you  fell 
upon,  being  Spaniards,  will  doubtless  be  running  yet 
and  nigh  unto  Nombre,  by  now." 

"How  far  is  it  hence?" 

"Twelve  leagues  by  road,  but  less  the  ways  I 
travel." 

"Good !"  said  I. 

"Though  'tis  hard  going." 

"No  matter." 

"Why,  then,  sleep,  for  we  march  at  dawn.  And  my 
name  is  John." 

"And  mine  Martin." 


I  Go  to  Seek  My  Vengeance    183 

"Why,  then,  Martin,  good  night." 

"Good  night,  John." 

Howbeit  though  (and  despite  his  hurts)  my  com- 
panion presently  slept  and  snored  lustily,  and  though 
I  kept  myself  awake  and  my  weapons  to  hand,  yet  I 
fell  a-nodding  and  at  last,  overcome  with  weariness, 
sank  to  sleep  likewise. 

I  waked  to  find  the  sun  up  and  the  man  John  shak- 
ing me,  a  wild,  unlovely,  shaggy  fellow,  very  furtive  of 
eye  and  gesture,  who  cringed  and  cowered  away  as  I 
started  up. 

"Lord,  man,"  quoth  I,  "I  am  no  enemy !" 

"I  know  it !"  said  he,  shaking  tousled  head.  "But 
'tis  become  nat'ral  to  me  to  slink  and  crawl  and  blench 
like  any  lashed  cur,  all  along  o'  these  accursed  Span- 
iards ;  I've  had  more  kicks  and  blows  than  I've  lived 
days,"  he  growled,  munching  away  at  the  viands  he 
had  set  forth. 

"Have  ye  suffered  so  much  then?" 

"Suffered!"  cried  he  with  a  snarl.  "I've  done  little 
else.  Aha,  when  I  think  o'  what  I've  endured,  I  do 
love  my  little  blowpipe " 

"Blowpipe?"  I  questioned. 

"Aj^e — this !"  And  speaking,  from  somewhere 
among  the  pitiful  rags  that  covered  his  lank  carcase 
he  drew  forth  a  small  wooden  pipe  scarce  two  foot  long 
and  having  a  bulbous  mouthpiece  at  one  end.  "The 
Indians  use  'em  longer  than  this — aye,  six  foot  I've 
seen  'em,  but  then.  Lord!  they'll  blow  ye  a  dart  from 
eighty  to  a  hundred  paces  sometimes,  whereas  I  never 
risk  shot  farther  awa}^  than  ten  or  twenty  at  most ; 
the  nearer  the  surer,  aha !"  Hereupon  he  nodded,  white 
teeth  agleam  through  tangled  beard,  and  with  a 
swift,  stealthy  gesture  hid  the  deadly  tube  in  his  rags 
again. 

"What  of  the  two  Spaniards  I  struck  down  last 
night?"  I  questioned,  looking  vainly  for  them. 


184    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

"In  the  bushes  yonder,"  said  he  and  with  jerk  of 
thumb.  "I  hid  'em,  master,  they  being  a  Uttle 
unsightly — ^black  and  swol — as  is  the  natur'  o'  this 
poison!"  Hereupon  I  rose  and  going  whither  he 
pointed,  parted  the  undergrowth  and  saw  this  was 
indeed  so,  insomuch  that  my  stomach  turned  and  I 
had  no  more  desire  for  food. 

"You  murdered  those  men!" 

"Aye,  that  I  did,  master,  an  you  call  it  murder, 
liowbeit,  there's  more  shall  go  the  same  road  yet, 
notably  Alexo  Valdez,  a  curse  on  him !" 

"And  you  are  an  Englishman?" 

"I  was,  but  since  then  I've  been  slave  to  be  whipped, 
dog  to  be  kicked,  Lutheran  dog  to  be  spat  upon,  and 
lastly  Indian " 

"And  what  now?" 

"A  poor  soul  to  be  tormented,  shot,  hanged,  01 
burned  as  they  will,  once  I'm  taken." 

"And  yet  you  will  adventure  yourself  to  Nombre 
de  Dios?" 

"Why,  Alexo  Valdez  is  lately  come  there  and  Alexo 
Valdez  burned  my  friend  Dick  Burbage,  as  was  'pren- 
tice wi'  me  at  Johnson's,  the  cutler's,  in  Friday  Street 
nigh  St.  Paul's,  twenty  odd  years  agone." 

And  in  a  while,  being  ready  to  start,  I  proffered  this 
wild  fellow  one  of  the  Spaniard's  guns,  but  he  would 
have  none  of  it,  nor  sword,  nor  even  cloak  to  cover  his 
rags,  so  in  the  end  we  left  all  things  behind,  and  there 
they  be  yet,  for  aught  I  know. 

Now  as  we  journeyed  on  together,  in  answer  to  my 
questioning  I  learned  from  tliis  man  John  something 
of  the  illimitable  pride  and  power  of  the  Church  of 
Rome;  more  especially  he  told  me  of  the  Spanish 
Inquisition,  its  cold  mercilessness  and  passionless 
ferocity,  its  unsleeping  watchfulness,  its  undying  ani- 
mosity, its  constant  menace  and  the  hopelessness  of  es- 
cape therefrom.     He  gave  me  particulars  of  burnings 


I  Go  to  Seek  My  Vengeance    185 

and  rackings,  he  described  to  me  the  torments  of  the 
water,  the  wheel  and  the  fire  until  mv  soul  sickened. 
He  told  me  how  it  menaced  alike  the  untrained  savage, 
the  peasant  in  his  hut  and  the  noble  in  his  hall.  I 
heard  of  parents  who,  bv  reason  of  this  corroding  fear, 
had  denounced  their  children  to  the  torment  and  chil- 
dren their  parents. 

"Aye,  and  there  was  a  Donna  Bianca  Vallambrosa, 
a  fine  woman,  I  mind,  was  suspected  of  Lutheranism — 
so  they  racked  her  and  she  in  torment  confessed  what- 
soever they  would  and  accused  her  sister  Donna  Luisa 
likewise.  So  they  burned  'em  both  and  made  'em  pay 
for  stake  and  chain  and  faggots  too,  afore  they  died." 

Many  other  horrors  he  recounted,  but  ever  and 
always  he  came  back  to  the  name  of  Alexo  Valdez  to 
vomit  curses  upon  until  at  last  I  questioned  him  as 
to  what  manner  of  man  this  was  to  behold. 

"Master,"  said  John,  turning  to  regard  me,  every 
Hair  upon  his  sunburned  face  seeming  to  bristle, 
"think  o'  the  most  sinful  stench  ever  offended  you, 
the  most  loathly  corruption  you  ever  saw  and  there's 
his  soul;  think  o'  the  devil  wi'  eyes  like  dim  glass,  flesh 
like  dough  and  a  sweet,  soft  voice,  and  you  have  Alexo 
Valdez  inside  and  out,  and  mav  everv  curse  ever  cursed 
light  on  and  blast  him,  says  I !" 

"Are  there  many  English  prisoners  in  the  Inquisi- 
tion at  Nombre?" 

"Why,  I  know  of  but  one — though  like  enough 
there's  more — they  are  so  cursed  secret,  master." 

"Did  ye  ever  hear  of  an  English  gentleman  lost  or 
taken  hereabouts  some  six  years  since  and  named  Sir 
Richard  Brandon?" 

"Nay,  I  was  slaving  down  Panama  way  six  years  ago. 
Is  it  him  you  come  a-seeking  of,  master?" 

"Aye,"  I  nodded.  "A  very  masterful  man,  hale  and 
florid  and  of  a  full  habit." 

"Nay,  the  only  Englishman  ever  I  see  in  Nombre  was 


1 86    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

old  and  bent  wi'  white  hair,  and  went  wi'  a  limp,  so  it 
can't  be  him." 

"No!"  said  I,  frowning*.  "No!''  After  this,  small 
chance  had  we  for  talk  by  reason  of  the  difficulty  of 
our  going,  yet  remembering  all  he  had  told,  I  had 
enough  to  think  on,  God  knows. 

We  had  now  reached  a  broken,  mountainous  coun- 
try  very  trying  and  perilous,  what  with  torrents  that 
foamed  athwart  our  way,  jagged  boulders,  shifting 
stones  and  the  like,  yet  John  strode  on  untiring;  but 
as  for  me,  what  with  all  this,  the  heat  of  sun  and  the 
burden  I  carried,  my  breath  began  to  labour  painfully. 
The  first  thing  I  tossed  away  was  my  gun  that  fell, 
ringing  and  clattering,  down  the  precipitous  rocks 
below,  and  the  next  was  my  pack  and  thereafter  my 
hatchet  and  pistols,  so  that  by  the  time  we  reached 
the  top  of  the  ascent  all  I  had  to  encumber  me  was  my 
sword,  and  this  I  kept,  since  it  was  light  and  seem- 
ingly a  good  blade. 

"Master,"  said  John,  with  a  flourish  of  his  ragged 
arm,  "here's  freedom — ^here's  God.  A  land  o'  milk  and 
honey  given  over  to  devils — curse  all  Spanishers, 
say  I!" 

Now  looking  around  me  I  stood  mute  in  wonder, 
for  from  this  height  I  might  behold  a  vast  stretch  of 
country,  towering  mountains,  deep,  shady  valleys, 
impenetrable  woods,  rushing  rivers,  wide-stretching 
plains  and  far  beyond  a  vague  haze  that  I  knew  was 
the  sea. 

"And  yonder,  master,"  said  John,  pointing  with  his 
blowpipe,  "yonder  lieth  Nombre,  though  ye  can't  see 
it,  the  which  we  shall  reach  ere  nightfall,  wherefore  it 
behoveth  me  to  look  to  my  artillery." 

So  saying,  he  squatted  down  upon  his  hams  and 
from  his  rags  produced  a  small  gourd  carefully 
wrapped  about  with  leaves ;  unwinding  these,  I  sa^ 
the  gourd  to  contain  a  sticky,  blackish  substance. 


I  Go  to  Seek  My  Vengeance    187 

"Aha!"  said  John,  viewing  this  with  gloating  eyes. 
"Snake  poison  is  mother's  milk  to  this,  master.  Here's 
enough  good  stuff  to  make  pocky  corpses  o'  every 
cursed  Spanisher  in  Nombre  ere  sunset.  Here's  that 
might  end  the  sufferings  o'  the  poor  Indians,  the  hang- 
ings, burnings  and  mutilations.  I've  seen  an  Indian 
cut  up  alive  to  feed  to  the  dogs  afore  now — but  here's 
a  cure  for  croolty,  master !" 

While  speaking,  he  had  laid  on  the  ground  before  him 
some  dozen  or  so  little  darts  no  longer  than  my  finger, 
each  armed  with  a  needle-like  point  and  feathered  with 
a  wad  of  silky  fibres ;  the  point  of  each  of  these  darts 
he  dipped  into  the  poison  one  after  the  other  and  laid 
them  in  the  sun  to  dry,  which  done  he  wrapped  up  the 
little  gourd  mighty  carefully  and  thrust  it  back 
among  his  rags.  And  in  a  while,  the  poison  on  the 
darts  or  arrows  being  dried  to  his  satisfaction,  he  took 
forth  a  small  leathern  quiver  of  native  make  and  set- 
ting the  missiles  therein,  shut  down  the  lid  securely  and 
sprang  to  his  feet. 

"Here's  sure  death  and  sarten  for  some  o'  the  dogs, 
master,"  quoth  he,  "and  now  if  there  truly  be  a  God 
aloft  there,  all  I  ask  is  one  chance  at  Alexo  Valdez  as 
bums  women  and  maids,  as  tortures  the  innocent,  as 
killed  my  friend  and  druv  me  into  the  wild — one  chance, 
master,  and  I'm  done!" 

Thus  he  spake  with  eyes  uplift  and  one  hairy  hand 
upraised  to  the  serene  heavens,  then  with  a  nod  to  me 
set  off  along  the  hazardous  track  before  us. 

Of  this,  the  last  stage  of  our  journeying,  I  will  make 
no  mention  save  that  footsore,  bruised  and  weary  I 
sank  amid  a  place  of  trees  and  gloomy  thickets  as  the 
sun  went  down  and  night  came. 

"Straight  afore  you  about  half  a  mile  lieth  Nombre, 
master  I"  said  John  in  my  ear.  "Hearken!  You  may 
hear  the  dogs  like  bees  in  a  hive  and  be  cursed  to  'em !" 

And  sure  enough  I  heard  an  indistinct  murmur  of 


i88    Martin  Conisbys  Vengeance 

sound  that  was  made  up  of  many ;  and  presently  came 
others  more  distinct;  the  faint  baying  tf  a  hound,  the 
distant  roll  of  a  drum,  the  soft,  sweet  tolling  of  a 
bell. 

"So  here  y'are,  master,  and  good  luck  t'ye!*'  said 
John  and  with  scarce  a  rustle,  swift  and  stealthy  as 
an  Indian,  he  was  gone  and  I  alone  in  the  gloom. 
Hereupon  I  debated  with  myself  whether  I  should  get 
me  into  the  city  straight  away  or  wait  till  the  morrow, 
the  which  question  was  resolved  by  my  falKng  into  a 
sweet  and  dreamless  slumber. 


CHAPTER  XXI 
How  I  Came  to  Nombre  de  Dios 

I  awoke  to  the  glare  of  a  light  and,  starting  up,  was 
smitten  to  my  knees  and,  Wing  half-stunned,  was  con- 
scious of  voices  loud  and  excited,  of  hands  that 
wrenched  me  here  and  there.  And  now  (my  hands 
securely  trussed)  I  was  hauled  up  and  marched  on 
stumbling  feet  amid  shadowy  captors,  all  of  whom 
seemed  to  talk  excitedly  and  none  to  listen,  the  which 
I  little  heeded  being  yet  dazed  by  the  blow.  And  pres- 
ently I  was  aware  of  a  dim  street  where  lights  gleamed, 
of  tall  buildings,  an  open  square  and  a  shadowy  pile 
soaring  upward  into  the  dark.  And  presently  from  the 
surrounding  gloom  a  darker  figure  stole,  slow-moving 
and  silent,  at  sight  of  which  my  captors  halted  to 
kneel,  one  and  all,  with  bowed  heads,  whereupon  the 
form  raised  a  shadowy  arm  in  salutation  or  blessing. 
And  then  a  voice  spake  in  sonorous  Spanish,  very  soft 
and  low  and  sweet,  yet  a  voice  that  chilled  me  none 
the  less: 

"Whom  bring  ye?" 

Here  came  voices  five  or  six,  speaking  also  in  Span- 
ish, and  amid  this  babel  I  caught  such  words  as: 

"A  stranger,  holy  father!" 

"An  Englishman !" 

"A  Lutheran  dog !" 

"Follow !"  the  sweet  voice  commanded,  whereupon  up 
sprang  my  captors  and  hauled  me  along  and  so  pres- 
ently into  a  spacious  hall  with  a  dais  at  one  end  where 
stood  a  table  and  great  elbow-chair;  but  what  drew 


190    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

and  held  my  gaze  was  the  slender,  dark- robed  ecclesi- 
astic that,  moving  on  leisured,  soundless  feet,  went  on 
before  until,  reaching  the  table,  he  seated  himself  there, 
head  bowed  upon  one  hand;  and  thus  he  sat  awhile 
then  beckoned  with  one  imperious  finger,  whereupon  my 
captors  led  me  forward  to  the  dais. 

"Begone !"  spake  the  pleasant  voice  and  immediately 
my  captors  drew  away  and  presently  were  gone,  leaving 
me  staring  upon  the  tonsured  crown  of  the  man  at  the 
table  who,  with  head  still  bowed  upon  his  hand,  struck 
a  silver  bell  that  stood  beside  him.  Scarce  had  the 
sound  died  away  than  I  heard  a  stealthy  rustling  and 
beheld  divers  forms  that  closed  silently  about  me, 
figures  shrouded  from  head  to  foot  in  black  habits  and 
nought  of  them  to  see  save  their  hands  and  the  glitter 
of  eyes  that  gazed  on  me  through  the  holes  of  their 
black,  enveloping  hoods. 

Now  turning  to  him  at  the  table,  I  saw  that  he  had 
raised  his  head  at  last  and  was  viewing  me  also,  and 
as  he  stared  on  me  so  stared  I  on  him  and  this  is  what 
I  saw:  A  lean  and  pallid  face  with  eyes  dim  and  slum- 
berous, a  high  nose  with  nostrils  thin  and  curling,  a 
wide,  close-lipped  mouth  and  long,  pointed  chin..  When 
we  had  stared  thus  a  while,  he  leaned  him  back  in  the 
great  chair  and  spoke  me  in  his  soft,  sweet  voice: 

"You  are  English,  senor.'"* 

"I  am !"  said  I  in  Spanish. 

"What  do  you  here?" 

"Seek  another  Englishman  known  to  be  prisoner  to 
the  Inquisition  of  Nombre  de  Dios." 

"His  name?" 

"Richard  Brandon.     Is  he  here?" 

"Are  you  of  the  Faith?" 

"Of  all  or  any  save  that  of  Rome!"  said  I,  staring 
up  into  the  pale,  emotionless  face.  "But  Rome  I  do 
abominate  and  all  its  devil's  work !"  At  this,  from  the 
hooded  figures  about  me  rose  a  gasp  of  horror  and 


How  I  Came  to  Nombre  de  Dios  191 

amaze,  while  into  the  dim  eyes  of  my  questioner  came 
a  momentary  glow. 

"Oh,  fleshly  lips!"  quoth  he.  "Oh,  tongue  of  blas- 
phemy damned.  Since  you  by  the  flesh  have  sinned, 
so  by  the  flesh,  its  pains  and  travail,  must  your  soul 
win  forgiveness  and  life  hereafter.  Oh,  vain  soul, 
though  your  flesh  hath  uttered  damnable  sin  and 
heresy,  yet  Holy  Church  in  its  infinite  mercy  shall  save 
your  soul  in  despite  sinful  flesh,  to  which  end  we  must 
lay  on  your  evil  flesh  such  castigation  as  shall,  by  its 
very  pain,  purge  your  soul  and  win  it  to  life  here- 
after  " 

But  now,  and  even  as  the  black-robed  familiars  closed 
upon  me,  I  heard  steps  behind  me,  a  clash  of  arms  and 
thereafter  a  voice  whose  calm  tones  I  recognised. 

"What  is  this.  Father  Alexo?" 

"An  Englishman  and  blasphemous  Lutheran,  cap- 
tured and  brought  hither  within  the  hour.  Your  Excel- 
lency." Now  here  the  familiars,  at  sign  of  Era  Alexo, 
moved  aside,  and  thus  I  beheld  to  my  surprise  and  inex- 
pressible joy,  Don  Fedengo,  pale  from  his  late  sickness, 
the  which  the  sombre  blackness  of  his  rich  velvet  habit 
did  but  off^set ;  for  a  moment  his  eyes  met  mine  and  with 
no  sign  of  recognition,  whereupon  I  checked  the  greet- 
ing on  my  lips. 

"And  am  I  of  so  little  account  as  not  to  be  warned 
of  this?"  said  he. 

"Alas,  Excellency,  if  I  have  something  forgot  the 
respect  due  your  high  and  noble  office,  let  my  zeal  plead 
my  excuse.  In  your  faithful  charge  do  we  leave  this 
miserable  one  until  Holy  Church  shall  require  him  of 
you."  So  saying,  Era  Alexo,  crossing  lean  hands 
meekly  on  his  bosom,  bowed  himself  in  humble  fashion, 
and  yet  I  thought  to  see  his  dull  eyes  lit  by  that  stealthy 
glow  as  Don  Federigo,  having  duly  acknowledged  his 
salutation,  turned  away. 

Thence  I  was  led  into  the  soft  night  air  to  a  noble 


192    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

house,  through  goodly  chambers  richly  furnished  and 
so  at  last  to  a  small  room;  and  ever  as  I  went  I  had 
an  uneasy  feeling  that  a  long,  black  robe  rustled 
stealthily  amid  the  shadows,  and  of  dull  eyes  that 
watched  me  unseen,  nor  could  I  altogether  shake  off 
the  feeling  even  when  the  door  closed  and  I  found 
myself  alone  with  Don  Federigo.  Indeed  it  almost 
seemed  as  he  too  felt  something  of  this,  for  he  stood 
a  while,  his  head  bowed  and  very  still,  like  one  listening 
intently;  suddenly  he  was  before  me,  had  grasped  my 
two  fettered  hands,  and  when  he  spake  it  was  in  little 
more  than  whisper. 

"Alas,  Don  Martino — ^good  my  friend,  Death  creep- 
eth  all  about  you  here " 

"Fra  Alexo's  spies!"  I  nodded.  Now  at  this  he 
gave  me  a  troubled  look  and  fell  to  pacing  to  and  fro. 

"A  hard  man  and  cunning!"  quoth  he,  as  to  him- 
self. "The  Church — ah,  the  power  of  the  Church! 
Yet  must  I  get  you  safe  away,  but  how — ^how?" 

"Nay,  Don  Federigo,  never  trouble." 

"Trouble,  Seiior?  Ah,  think  you  I  count  that?  My 
life  is  yours,  Don  Martino,  and  joyfully  do  I  risk 
it " 

"Nay,  sir,"  quoth  I,  grasping  his  hand,  "well  do  I 
know  you  for  brave  and  noble  gentleman  whose  friend- 
ship honoureth  me,  but  here  is  no  need  you  should 
hazard  your  life  for  me,  since  I  am  here  of  my  own 
will.  I  have  delivered  myself  over  to  the  Inquisition 
to  the  fulfilment  of  a  purpose," 

"Sir,"  said  he,  his  look  of  trouble  deepening.  "Alas, 
young  sir " 

"This  only  would  I  ask  of  your  friendship — when 
they  take  me  hence,  see  to  it  that  I  am  set  in  company 
with  one  that  lieth  prisoned  here,  see  that  I  am  fettered 
along  with  Sir  Richard  Brandon.  And  this  do  I  ask 
of  your  friendship,  sir!" 

"Alas!"  said  he.    "Alas,  'tis  out  of  my  jurisdiction; 


How  I  Came  to  Nombre  de  Dios  193 

when  you  go  hence  you  are  lost — you  do  pass  from 
the  eye  of  man — none  knoweth  whither." 

"So  long  as  I  come  unto  mine  enemy  'tis  very  well, 
sir.  'Tis  this  I  have  prayed  for,  lived  for,  hoped  and 
suffered  for.  Wherefore  now,  Don  Federigo,  in  mem- 
ory of  our  friendship  and  all  that  hath  passed  betwixt 
us,  I  would  ask  you  to  contrive  me  this  one  thing  how- 
soever you  may." 

At  this  he  fell  to  his  walking  again  and  seemingly 
very  full  of  anxious  thought.  Presently  he  sounded  a 
whistle  that  hung  about  his  neck,  in  answer  to  which 
summons  came  one  I  judged  to  be  an  Indian  by  his 
look,  though  he  was  dressed  Christianly  enough.  And 
now,  with  a  bow  to  me,  Don  Federigo  speaks  to  him  in 
tongue  I  had  never  heard  before,  a  language  very  soft 
and  pleasing: 

"Your  pardon,  sir,"  said  Don  Federigo  when  we 
were  alone,  "but  Hualipa  is  an  Indian  and  hath  but 
indifferent  Spanish." 

"An  Indian?" 

"An  Aztec  Cacique  that  I  saved  from  an  evil  death. 
He  is  one  of  the  few  I  can  trust.  And  here  another !" 
said  he,  as  the  door  opened  and  a  great  blackamoor 
entered,  bearing  a  roast  with  wine,  etc.,  at  sight 
whereof  my  mouth  watered  and  I  grew  mightily  hun- 
gered. 

While  I  ate  and  drank  and  Don  Federigo  minister- 
ing to  my  wants,  he  told  me  of  Adam  Penfeather, 
praising  his  courtliness  and  seamanship ;  he  spoke  also 
of  my  lady  and  how  she  had  cared  for  him  in  his  sick- 
ness. He  told  me  further  how  they  had  been  attacked 
by  a  great  ship  and  having  beaten  off  this  vessel  were 
themselves  so  much  further  shattered  and  unseaworthy 
that  'twas  wonder  they  kept  afloat.  None  the  less 
Adam  had  contrived  to  stand  in  as  near  to  Nombre  de 
Dios  as  possible  and  thus  set  him  safely  ashore.  Sud- 
denly the  arras  in  the  comer  was  lifted  and  Hu&lipa 


194    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

reappeared,  who,  lifting  one  hand,  said  somewhat  in 
his  soft  speech,  whereupon  Don  Federigo  rose  suddenly 
and  I  also. 

"Senor  Martino,''  said  he,  taking  my  hand,  "good 
friend,  the  familiars  of  the  Holy  Office  are  come  for 
you,  so  now  is  farewell,  God  go  with  you,  and  so  long 
as  I  live,  I  am  your  friend  to  aid  you  whensoever  I 
may.     But  now  must  I  see  you  back  in  your  bonds." 

He  now  signed  to  Hualipa  who  forthwith  bound  my 
wrists,  though  looser  than  before,  whereupon  Don 
Federigo  sighed  and  left  me.  Then  the  Indian  brought 
me  to  a  comer  of  the  room  and  lifting  the  arras, 
showed  me  a  small  door  and  led  me  thence  along  many 
dim  and  winding  passages  into  a  lofty  hall  where  I 
beheld  Don  Federigo  in  confabulation  with  divers  of 
these  black-robed  ecclesiastics  who,  beholding  me, 
ceased  their  talk  and  making  him  their  several 
obeisances,  carried  me  away  whither  they  would.  Thus 
very  soon  I  found  myself  looking  again  into  the  pallid, 
dim-eyed  face  of  the  Chief  Inquisitor  who,  lifting  one 
white,  bony  finger,  thus  admonished  me  in  his  sweet, 
sad  voice; 

"Unworthy  son,  behold  now!  Holy  Church,  of  its 
infinite  mercy  and  great  love  to  all  such  detestable 
sinners  as  thou  manifestly  art,  doth  study  how  to  pre- 
serve thy  soul  from  hell  in  despite  of  thyself.  And 
because  there  is  nought  so  purging  as  fire,  to  the  fire 
art  thou  adjudged  except,  thy  conscience  teaching  thee 
horror  of  thine  apostacy,  thou  wilt  abjure  thy  sin  and 
live.  And  because  nought  may  so  awaken  conscience 
as  trouble  of  mind  and  pain  of  body,  therefore  to 
trouble  and  pain  doth  Holy  Church  adjudge  thy  sinfu) 
flesh,  by  water,  by  fire,  by  rack,  pulley  and  the  wheel." 
Here  he  paused  and  bowed  his  head  upon  his  hands  and 
thus  remained  a  while;  when  at  last  he  spoke,  it  was 
with  face  still  hid  and  slowly,  as  if  unwilling  to  give 
the  words  utterance :  "Yet,  first — thou  art  decreed — a 


How  I  Came  to  Nombre  de  Dios  195 

space — for  contemplation  of  thy  heresy  vile  and 
abominable,  having  fellowship  with  one  who,  blasphe- 
mous as  thyself  and  of  a  pride  stubborn  and  hateful, 
long  persisted  in  his  sinfulness,  yet  at  the  last,  by  oft 
suffering,  hath  lately  abjured  his  damnable  heresy  and 
is  become  of  humble  and  contrite  heart,  and  thus,  being 
soon  to  die,  shall,  by  pain  of  flesh  and  sorrow  of  mind, 
save  his  soul  alive  in  Paradise  everlasting.  Go,  miser- 
able wretch,  thy  body  is  but  corruption  soon  to  perish, 
but  the  immortal  soul  of  thee  is  in  Holy  Church  her 
loving  care  henceforth,  to  save  in  thy  despite." 

Then,  with  face  still  bowed,  he  gestured  with  his 
hand,  whereupon  came  two  hooded  familiars  and  led  me 
forth  of  his  presence.  Now  as  I  walked  betwixt  these 
shapeless  forms  that  flitted  on  silent  feet  and  spake  no 
word,  my  flesh  chilled  in  despite  my  reason,  for  they 
seemed  rather  spectres  than  truly  men,  yet  phantoms 
of  a  grim  and  relentless  purposefulness.  Voiceless  and 
silent  they  brought  me  down  stone  stairs  and  along 
echoing  passages  into  a  dim  chamber  where  other 
cloaked  forms  moved  on  soundless  feet  and  spake  in 
hushed  and  sibilant  whispers.  Here  my  bonds  were 
removed  and  in  their  place  fetters  were  locked  upon 
my  wrists,  which  done,  one  came  with  a  lanthorn,  who 
presently  led  the  way  along  other  gloomy  passageways 
where  I  beheld  many  narrow,  evil-looking  doorways. 
At  last  my  silent  guide  halted,  I  heard  the  rattle  of 
iron,  the  creak  of  bolts  and  a  door  opened  suddenly 
before  me  upon  a  dank  and  noisome  darkness.  Into 
this  evil  place  I  was  led,  and  the  door  clapped  to  upon 
me  and  locked  and  bolted  forthwith.  But  to  my  won- 
der they  had  left  me  the  lanthorn,  and  by  its  flickering 
beam  I  stared  about  me  and  saw  I  was  in  a  large 
dungeon,  its  comers  lost  in  gloom. 

Suddenly  as  I  stood  thus,  nigh  choked  with  the  foul 
air  of  the  place  and  full  of  misgiving,  I  heard  a  groan- 
ing sigh,  and  from  the  shadow  of  a-  remote  comer  a 


196    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

figure  reared  itself  upon  its  knees  to  peer  under  palsied 
hand  with  eyes  that  blinked  as  if  dazzled  by  this  poor 
light. 

"So  young — so  young — oh,  pity!  God  be  merciful 
to  thee — alas,  what  do  you  in  this  place  of  torment 
and  living  death — young  sir?" 

Now  this  voice  was  pitifully  cracked  and  feeble,  yet 
the  words  were  English,  wherefore  I  caught  up  the 
lanthom  and  coming  nearer,  set  it  down  where  I  might 
better  behold  the  speaker. 

"So  young — so  young!  What  dost  thou  among  the 
living  dead.?" 

"I  come  seeking  Sir  Richard  Brandon!" 

Now  from  the  dim  figure  before  me  broke  a  sound 
that  was  neither  scream  nor  laughter  yet  something 
of  both.  I  saw  wild  hands  upcast  to  the  gloom  above, 
a  shrunken,  pallid  face,  the  gleam  of  snow-white  hair. 

"Oh,  God  of  mercies — oh,  God  of  Justice — at  last, 
oh,  God— at  last!" 

Stooping,  I  dragged  him  to  the  light  and  found 
myself  suddenly  a-trembling  so  violently  that  he  shook 
in  my  gripe. 

"What — ^what  mean  you?"  I  cried. 

"That  I — I  am  Richard  Brandon." 

"Liar!"  I  cried,  shaking  him.     "Damned  liar!" 

And  yet,  looking  down  upon  this  old,  withered 
creature  who  crouched  before  me  on  feeble  knees,  his 
shrivelled  hands  clasped  and  haggard  face  uplifted, 
I  knew  that  he  spoke  truth,  and  uttering  a  great  and 
bitter  cry,  I  cast  him  from  me,  for  here,  in  place  of 
my  proud  and  masterful  enemy,  the  man  I  had  hated 
for  his  fierce  and  arrogant  spirit,  God  had  given  to 
my  vengeance  at  last  no  more  than  this  miserable 
thing,  this  poor,  pale  shadow.  Wherefore  now  I  cast 
myself  down  upon  my  face,  beating  the  floor  with  my 
shackled  fists  and  blaspheming  my  God  like  the  very 
madman  I  was. 


CHAPTER  XXn 

How  AT  Last  I  Found  My  Enemy,  Richard  Beandon 

Whether  this  paroxysm  had  wrought  me  to  a 
swoon  I  know  not,  but  I  wondered  to  feel  a  hand  upon 
my  head,  stroking  my  hair  with  touch  marvellous 
gentle,  and  therewith  a  voice: 

"Comfort  thee,  comfort  thee,  poor  youth !  These  be 
rages  and  despairs  that  many  do  suffer  at  the  first; 
in  a  little  shall  come  back  thy  courage  and  with  it 
hope — that  hope,  alas,  that  never  dieth — even  here. 
'Lo,  I  am  with  thee,'  saith  the  Lord — so  be  comforted, 
young  sir.  Let  other  thoughts  distract  thy  mind — let 
us  converse  if  thou  wilt.  Tell  me,  I  pray,  how  didst 
know  my  unhappy  name.'*" 

"Because,"  said  I,  starting  from  his  touch,  "I  am 
son  to  the  man  you  foully  murdered  by  false  accusation. 
I  am  Martin  Conisby,  Lord  Wendover  of  Shere  and 
last  of  my  line  I" 

Now  at  this  he  drew  away  and  away,  staring  on  me 
great-eyed  and  I  heard  the  breath  gasp  between  his 
pallid  lips. 

"What — do  you  here,  my  lord?" 

"Seek  my  just  vengeance!"  > 

"The  vengeance  of  a  Conisby!"  he  murmured. 

"Six  years  ago  I  broke  from  the  hell  of  slavery  you 
sold  me  into  and  ever  since  have  sought  you  with  intent 
to  end  the  feud  once  and  for  ever." 

"The  feud.?"  he  muttered.  "Aye,  we  have  shed  each 
other's  blood  for  generations — when  your  grandfather 
fought  and  slew  my  father  on  the  highway  beyond 


198    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

Lamberhurst  village  I,  a  weeping  boy,  kissing  the 
wound  bis  rapier  had  made,  vowed  to  end  the  Conisbys 
one  day  and  came  nigh  doing  it,  God  forgive  me.  So 
doth  one  sin  beget  others,  and  so  here  to-day,  in  the 
gloom  of  my  dungeon,  I  yield  myself  to  your  vengeance, 
my  lord,  freely  and  humbly  confessing  the  harms  I 
did  you  and  the  base  perfidy  of  my  actions.  So,  an 
you  will  have  my  miserable  life,  take  it  and  with  my  last 
breath  I  will  beseech  God  pardon  you  my  blood  and 
bring  you  safe  out  of  this  place  of  torment  and  sor- 
row. God  knoweth  I  have  endured  much  of  agony  these 
latter  years  and  yet  have  cherished  my  life  in  despite 
my  sufferings  hitherto,  aye,  cherished  it  so  basely  as 
to  turn  apostate  that  I  might  live  yet  a  little  longer — 
but  now,  my  lord,  freely — aye,  joyfully  will  I  give  it 
for  your  vengeance,  praying  God  of  His  abounding 
mercy  to  pardon  my  most  grievous  offences  but,  being 
grown  weak  in  courage  and  body  by  reason  of  frequent 
and  grievous  torturings,  this  mayhap  shall  plead  my 
excuse.  Come  then,  Martin  Conisby,  your  hand  upon 
my  throat,  your  fetter-chain  about  my  neck " 

"Have  done!"  said  I.  "Have  done!"  And  getting 
up,  I  crossed  to  the  extremest  comer  of  the  dungeon 
and  cast  myself  down  there.  But  in  a  little  he  was 
beside  me  again,  bearing  the  lanthorn  and  with  straw 
from  his  bed  for  my  pillow,  whereupon  I  cursed  and 
bade  him  begone,  but  he  never  stirred. 

"Oh  boy,"  said  he,  seeing  me  clench  my  fist,  "I  am 
inured  to  stripes  and  very  fain  to  speech  with  thee, 
wherefore  suffer  me  a  little  and  answer  me  this  ques- 
tion, I  pray.  You  have  sought  me  these  many  years, 
you  have  even  followed  me  into  this  hell  of  suffering, 
and  God  at  last  hath  given  me  to  your  vengeance — 
wherefore  not  take  it?" 

"Because  he  I  sought  was  masterful,  strong  and 
arrogant !" 

"Yet  this  my  body,  though  sorely  changed,  is  yet 


How  at  Last  I  Found  My  Enemy  199 

the  same;  'twill  bleed  if  you  prick  it  and  I  can  die  as 
well  now  as  six  years  ago " 

But  seeing  I  made  no  manner  of  answer,  he  left  me 
at  last  and  I  watched  him  limp  disconsolate  to  his 
comer,  there  to  bow  himself  on  feeble  knees  and  with 
hands  crossed  on  his  bosom  and  white  head  bowed, 
fall  to  a  passion  of  silent  prayer  yet  with  many  woful 
sighings  and  moanings,  and  so  got  him  to  his  miserable 
bed. 

As  for  me,  I  lay  outstretched  upon  my  face,  my  head 
pillowed  on  my  arm,  with  no  desire  of  sleep,  or  to 
move,  content  only  to  lie  thus  staring  into  the  yellow 
flame  of  the  lanthom  as  a  child  might,  for  it  verily 
seemed  that  all  emotions  and  desires  were  clean  gone 
out  of  me;  thus  lay  I,  my  mind  a-swoon,  staring  at 
this  glimmering  flame  until  it  flickered  and  vanished, 
leaving  me  in  outer  darkness.  But  within  me  was  a 
darkness  blacker  still,  wherein  my  soul  groped  vainly. 

So  the  long  night  wore  itself  to  an  end,  for  pres- 
ently, lifting  heavy  head,  I  was  aware  of  a  faint  glow 
waxing  ever  brighter,  till  suddenly,  athwart  the  gloom 
of  my  prison,  shot  a  beam  of  radiant  glory,  like  a  very 
messenger  of  God,  telling  of  a  fair,  green  world,  of 
tree  and  herb  and  flower,  of  the  sweet,  glad  wind  of 
morning  and  all  the  infinite  mercies  of  God;  so  that, 
beholding  this  heavenly  vision,  I  came  nigh  weeping 
for  pure  joy  and  thankfulness. 

Now  this  thrice-blessed  sunlight  poured  in  through 
a  small  grating  high  up  in  the  massy  wall  and  showed 
me  the  form  of  m}^  companion,  the  shining  silver  of  his 
hair,  his  arms  wide-tossed  in  slumber.  Moved  by  sud- 
den impulse  I  arose  and  (despite  the  ache  and  stiffness 
of  my  limbs)  came  softly  to  look  upon  him  as  he  lay 
thus,  his  cares  forgot  awhile  in  blessed  sleep ;  and  thus, 
beneath  his  rags,  I  saw  divers  and  many  grievous  scars 
of  wounds  old  and  new,  the  marks  of  hot  and  searing 
iron,   of   biting   steel   and    cruel   lash,   and   in   joints, 


200    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

swollen  and  inflamed,  I  read  the  oft-repeated  torture 
of  the  rack.  And  yet  in  these  features,  gaunt  and 
haggard  by  suffering,  furrowed  and  lined  by  pain, 
was  a  serene  patience  and  nobility  wholly  unfamil- 
iar. 

Thus  it  seemed  God  had  hearkened  to  my  oft-re- 
peated prayers,  had  given  up  to  me  mine  enemy  bound ; 
here  at  last,  beneath  my  hand,  lay  the  contriver  of 
my  father's  ruin  and  death  and  of  my  own  evil  for- 
tunes. But  it  seemed  the  sufferings  that  had  thus 
whitened  his  hair,  bowed  his  once  stalwart  frame  and 
chastened  his  fierce  pride  had  left  behind  them  some- 
thing greater  and  more  enduring,  before  which  my 
madness  of  hate  and  passionate  desire  of  vengeance 
shrank  abashed.  Now  as  I  stood  thus,  lost  in  frown- 
ing contemplation  of  my  enemy,  he  groaned  of  a  sud- 
den and  starting  to  his  elbow,  stared  up  at  me  haggard- 
eyed. 

"Ah,  my  lord!"  said  he,  meeting  my  threatening 
look.  "Is  the  hour  of  vengeance  at  hand — seek  ye 
my  life  indeed.?     Why,  then,  I  am  ready!" 

But,  nothing  speaking,  I  got  me  back  to  my  gloomy 
comer  and  crouched  there,  my  knees  up-drawn,  my 
head  bowed  upon  my  arms;  and  now,  my  two  hands 
gripping  upon  the  empty  air,  I  prayed  again  these 
words  so  often  wrung  from  me  by  past  agonies:  "Oh, 
God  of  Justice,  give  me  now  vengeance — vengeance 
upon  mine  enemy.  His  life.  Oh,  God,  his  life!"  But 
even  as  I  spake  these  words  within  myself  I  knew  the 
vengeance  I  had  dreamed  of  and  cherished  so  dearly 
was  but  a  dream  indeed,  a  fire  that  had  burned  utterly 
away,  leaving  nought  but  the  dust  and  ashes  of  all 
that  might  have  been.  And  realising  somewhat  of  the 
bitter  mocker}'^  of  my  situation,  bethinking  me  of  all 
I  had  so  wantonly  cast  away  for  this  dream,  and 
remembering  the  vain  labour  and  all  the  wasted  years, 
I  fell  to  raging  despair,  insomuch  that  I  groaned  aloud 


How  at  Last  I  Found  My  Enemy  201 

and  casting  myself  do^sTi,  smote  upon  the  stone  floor 
of  my  prison  with  shackled  fists.  And  thus  I  presently 
felt  a  touch  and  glanced  up  to  behold  my  enemy  bend- 
ing above  me. 

•'My  lord "  said  he. 

"Devil!"  I  cried,  smiting  the  frail  hand  from  me. 
"I  am  no  more  than  the  poor  outcast  wretch  you  ha' 
made  of  me !"  Thus,  with  curses  and  revilings,  I  bade 
him  plague  me  no  more  and  presently,  wearied  mind 
and  body  by  my  long  vigil,  I  fell  a-nodding,  until, 
wakened  by  the  opening  of  the  door,  I  looked  up  to 
behold  one  of  the  black- rob^d  familiars,  who,  having 
set  down  meat  and  drink,  vanished  again,  silent  and 
speechless. 

Roused  by  the  delectable  savours  of  this  meat,  which 
was  hot  and  well-seasoned,  I  felt  myself  ravenous  and 
ate  with  keen  appetite,  and  taking  up  the  drink,  found 
it  to  be  wine,  very  rich  and  comforting.  So  I  ate  and 
drank  my  fill,  never  heeding  my  companion,  and  there- 
after, stretching  myself  as  comfortably  as  I  might, 
I  sank  into  a  deep  slumber.  But  my  sleep  was  troubled 
by  all  manner  of  dreams  wherein  was  a  nameless  fear 
that  haunted  me,  a  thing  dim-seen  and  silent,  save  for 
the  stealthy  rustling  of  a  trailing  robe.  And  even  as 
I  strove  to  flee  it  grew  upon  me  until  I  knew  this  was 
Death  in  the  shape  of  Fra  Alexo.  And  now,  as  I 
strove  vainly  to  escape  those  white,  cruel  fingers, 
Joanna  was  betwixt  us ;  I  heard  her  shrill,  savage  cry, 
saw  the  glitter  of  her  steel  and,  reeling  back,  Fra  Alexo 
stood  clutching  his  throat  in  his  two  hands,  staring 
horribly  ere  he  fell.  But  looking  upon  him  as  he  lay 
I  saw  this  was  not  Fra  Alexo,  for  gazing  on  the  pale, 
dead  face,  I  recognised  the  beloved  features  of  my 
lady  Joan.  But,  sudden  and  swift,  Joanna  stooped 
to  clasp  that  stilly  form,  to  lay  her  ruddy  mouth  to 
these  pallid  lips ;  and  lo,  she  that  was  dead  stirred,  and 
^ose   up   quick   and   vivid   with  life   and   reached   out 


202    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

yearning  arms  to  me,  seeing  nothing  of  Joanna  where 
she  lay,  a  pale,  dead  thing. 

I  started  up,  crying  aloud,  and  blinked  to  the  glare 
of  a  lanthorn;  as  I  crouched  thus,  shielding  my  eyes 
from  this  dazzling  beam,  from  the  darkness  beyond 
came  a  voice,  very  soft  and  tenderly  sweet,  the  which 
set  me  shivering  none  the  less. 

"Most  miserable  man,  forswear  now  the  error  ot 
thy  beliefs,  or  prepare  thy  unworthy  flesh  to  chastise- 
ment. In  this  dead  hour  of  night  when  all  do  sleep, 
save  the  God  thou  blasphemest  and  Holy  Church,  thou 
shall  be  brought  to  the  question " 

"Hold,  damned  Churchman!"  cried  a  voice,  and 
turning  I  beheld  my  enemy.  Sir  Richard  Brandon,  his 
gaunt  and  fettered  arms  upraised,  his  eyes  fierce  and 
steadfast.  "Heed  not  this  bloody-minded  man!  And 
you,  Fra  Alexo  and  these  cowled  fiends  that  do  your 
evil  work,  I  take  you  to  witness,  one  and  all,  that  I, 
Richard  Brandon,  Knight  banneret  of  Kent,  do  now, 
henceforth  and  for  ever,  renounce  and  abjure  the  oath 
you  wrung  from  my  coward  flesh  by  your  devilish  tor- 
tures. Come,  do  to  my  body  what  ye  will,  but  my  soul 
— aye,  my  soul  belongs  to  God — not  to  the  Church  of 
Rome!  May  God  reckon  up  against  you  the  innocent 
blood  you  have  shed  and  in  every  groan  and  tear  and 
cry  you  have  wrung  from  tortured  flesh  may  you  find 
a  curse  in  this  world  and  hereafter!" 

The  loud,  fierce  voice  ceased ;  instead  I  heard  a  long 
and  gentle  sigh,  a  murmured  command,  and  Sir  Richard 
was  seized  by  dim  forms  and  borne  away,  his  irons 
clashing.  Then  I  sprang,  whirling  up  my  fetter-chains 
to  smite,  was  tripped  heavily,  felt  my  limbs  close- 
pinioned  and  was  dragged  forth  of  the  dungeon.  And 
now,  thus  helpless  at  the  mercy  of  these  hideous,  hooded 
forms  that  knew  no  mercy,  my  soul  shrank  for  stark 
horror  of  what  was  to  be,  and  my  body  shook  and 
trembled  in  abject  terror. 


How  at  Last  I  Found  My  Enemy  203 

In  this  miserable  state  I  was  dragged  along,  until 
once  again  I  heard  the  murmur  of  that  sweet,  soft 
voice,  whereupon  my  captors  halted,  a  door  was 
unlocked,  and  I  was  cast  into  a  place  of  outer  dark- 
ness there  to  lie  bruised  and  half-stunned  yet  agonised 
with  fear,  insomuch  that  for  very  shame  I  summoned 
up  all  my  resolution,  and  mastering  my  fear,  I  clenched 
chattering  teeth  and  sweating  palms,  determined  to 
meet  what  was  to  be  with  what  courage  and  fortitude 
I  might.  Slowly  the  shivering  horror  passed  and  in 
its  place  was  a  strange  calm  as  I  waited  for  them  to 
bear  me  to  the  torture. 

Suddenly  my  heart  leapt  to  a  shrill  scream  and 
thereafter  I  heard  an  awful  voice,  loud  and  hoarse  and 
tremulous,  and  between  each  gasping  cry,  dreadful 
periods  of  silence: 

"Oh,  God.  .  .  .  Oh,  God  of  pity,  aid  me  .  .  .  make 
me  to  endure.  .  .  .  Lord  God,  strengthen  my  coward 
soul  .  .  .  help  me  to  be  worthy  .  .  .  faithful  at  last 
.   .  .   faithful  to  the  end.  .  .  ." 

As  for  me,  well  knowing  the  wherefore  of  these  out- 
cries, the  meaning  of  these  ghastly  silences,  a  frenzy 
of  horror  seized  me  so  that  I  shouted  and  raved,  rolling 
to  and  fro  in  my  bonds.  Yet  even  so  I  could  hear  them 
at  their  devil's  work,  until  the  hoarse  screams  sank  to 
a  piteous  wailing,  a  dreadful  inarticulate  babble,  until, 
wrought  to  a  frenzy,  I  struggled  to  my  feet  (despite 
my  bonds)  and  (like  the  madman  I  was)  leapt  towards 
whence  these  awful  sounds  came,  and  falling,  knew 
no  more. 

From  this  blessed  oblivion  I  was  roused  by  a  kindly 
warmth  and  opening  my  eyes,  saw  that  I  lay  face  down 
in  a  beam  of  sunshine  that  poured  in  through  the  small 
grille  high  in  the  wall  like  a  blessing ;  being  very  weary 
and  full  of  pain,  and  feeling  this  kindly  ray  mighty 
comforting,  I  lay  where  I  was  and  no  desire  to  move, 
minded  to  sleep  again.     But  little  by  little  I  became 


204    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

conscious  of  a  dull,  low  murmur  of  sound  very  dis- 
tressful to  hear  and  that  set  me  vaguely  a-wondering. 
Therefore,  after  some  while,  I  troubled  to  lift  my  head 
and  wondered  no  more. 

A  twisted  heap  of  blood-stained  rags,  the  pallid  oval 
of  a  face,  the  dull  gleam  of  a  chain,  this  much  I  saw 
at  a  glance,  but  when  I  came  beside  Sir  Richard's 
prostrate  fonn  and  beheld  the  evils  they  had  wrought 
on  him,  a  cry  of  horror  and  passionate  anger  broke 
from  me,  whereupon  he  checked  his  groaning  and  open- 
ing swimming  eyes,  smiled  wanly  up  at  me. 

"Glory — and  thanks  to  God — I — endured!"  he 
whispered.  Now  at  this  I  sank  on  my  knees  beside 
him,  and  when  I  would  have  spoken,  could  not  for  a 
while;  at  last: 

"Is  there  aught  I  may  do.''"  I  questioned. 

"Water!"  he  murmured  feebly.  So  I  reached  the 
water  and  setting  my  arm  'neath  his  neck  ( and  despite 
my  fetters)  lifted  him  as  gently  as  I  might  and  held 
the  jar  to  his  cracked  lips.  When  he  had  drank  what 
he  would  I  made  a  rough  pillow  for  his  head  and  rent 
strips  from  my  shirt  for  bandages,  and  finding  my 
pitcher  full-charged  with  wine,  mixed  some  with  water 
and  betook  me  to  bathing  his  divers  hurts  (though 
greatly  hampered  by  the  chain  of  my  fetters)  and 
found  him  very  patient  to  endure  my  awkward 
handling,  in  the  midst  of  which,  meeting  my  eye,  he 
smiled  faintly: 

"Martin  Conisby,"  he  whispered.  "Am  I  not — your 
— enemy  ?" 

"Howbeit  you  endured !"  quoth  I. 

"Thanks  be  to  God!"  said  he  humbly.  "And  is  it 
for  this.  You  will  cherish  thus — and  comfort  one — 
hath  wronged  you  and  yours — so  bitterly.?" 

But  at  this  I  grew  surly  and  having  made  an  end 
of  my  rough  surgery,  I  went  and  cast  myself  upon  my 
bed  of  straw  and,  lying  there,  watching  the  sunbeam 


How  at  Last  I  Found  My  Enemy  205 

creep  upon  the  wall,  I  fell  to  pondering  this  problem, 
viz:  How  came  I  thus  striving  to  soothe  the  woes  of 
this  man  I  had  hunted  all  these  years  to  his  destruc- 
tion ;  why  must  I  pity  his  hurts  and  compassionate  his 
weakness — why  ? 

And  as  I  sat,  my  fists  clenched,  scowling  at  the  sun- 
ray,  it  verily  seemed  as  he  had  read  these  my  thoughts. 

"Martin  Conisby,"  said  he,  his  voice  grown  stronger. 
'*0h,  Martin,  think  it  not  shame  to  pity  thine  enemy; 
to  cherish  them  that  despitef ully  use  you ;  this  is  God- 
like. I  was  a  proud  man  and  merciless  but  I  have 
learned  much  by  sufferings,  and  for  the  wrongs  I  did 
you — bitterly  have  I  repented.  So  would  I  humbly 
sue  forgiveness  of  you  since  I  am  to  die  so  soon " 

"To  die?" 

"Aye,    Martin,    at    the    next    auto-da-fe — ^by    the 

fire " 

"The  fire!"  said  I,  clenching  my  fists. 

"They  have  left  me  my  life  that  I  may  bum " 

"When?"  I  demanded  'twixt  shut  teeth.  "When?" 
"To-day — to-morrow — the  day  after — what  matter? 
But  when  the  flames  have  done  their  work,  I  would  fain 
go  to  God  bearing  with  me  your  forgiveness.  But  if 
this  be  too  much  to  hope — why,  then,  Martin,  I  will 
beseech  God  to  pluck  you  forth  of  this  place  of  horror 
and  to  give  you  back  to   England,  to  happiness,   to 

honour  and  all  that  I  reft  from  you " 

"Nay,  this  were  thing  impossible !"  I  cried. 
"There  is  nought  impossible  to  God,  Martin !"  Here 
fell  silence  awhile  and  then,  "Oh,  England — England !" 
cried  he.  "D'ye  mind  how  the  road  winds  'twixt  the 
hedgerows  a-down  hill  into  Lamberhurst,  Martin;  d'ye 
mind  the  wonder  of  it  all — the  green  meadows,  the  dim 
woods  full  of  bird  song  and  fragrance — you  shall  see 
it  all  again  one  day,  but  as  for  me — ah,  to  breathe 
just  once  again  thie  sweet  smell  of  English  earth!  But 
God's  will  be  done !" 


2o6    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

For  a  while  I  sat  picturing  to  my  fancy  the  visions 
his  words  had  conjured  up;  lifting  my  head  at  last, 
I  started  up  to  see  him  so  pale  and  still  and  bending 
above  him,  saw  him  sleeping,  placid  as  any  child,  yet 
with  the  marks  of  tears  upon  his  shrunken  cheek. 


CHAPTER  XXIII 

How  I  Found  My  Soul 

The  torment  by  fire,  torture  by  water,  rack  and 
thumbscrews,  pulley  and  wheel,  the  weights,  the  press, 
the  glove  and  the  boot, — these  the  devices  men  hath 
schemed  out  for  the  plaguing  of  his  neighbour,  the 
hellish  enp"ines  he  hath  troubled  to  invent  and  build 
for  the  crushing,  twisting,  tearing  and  maiming  of  his 
fellow-man,  yet  of  all  these  devilish  machines  nought 
is  there  so  constant,  so  pitiless  and  hard  of  endurance 
as  the  agony  of  suspense;  there  is  a  spectre  mopping 
and  mowing  at  our  shoulder  by  day  and  haunting  the 
misery  of  our  nights ;  here  is  a  disease  slowly  but  surely 
sapping  hope  and  courage  and  life  itself. 

Howbeit  it  was  thus  I  found  it  in  the  time  that 
followed,  for  little  by  little  I  became  the  prey  of  a 
terror  that  grew,  until  the  opening  of  the  door  would 
bring  me  to  my  feet  in  sweating  panic,  or  the  mere 
rattle  of  my  fellow-prisoner's  chains  fill  me  with  shiver- 
ing despair.  And  because  of  these  sick  fears  I  felt 
great  scorn  of  myself,  and  knowing  I  was  in  this  place 
of  horror  by  my  otvti  will  and  contrivance,  to  despair 
and  scorn  was  added  a  bitter  self-hatred.  And  now, 
remembering  how  Adam  had  vowed  to  rescue  Sir 
Richard,  I  prayed  for  his  coming,  at  one  moment  full 
of  hope,  the  next  in  an  agony  of  despair  lest  he  should 
come  too  late.  Thus  I  fell  to  my  black  mood,  speak- 
ing no  word  or  answering  my  companion  but  by 
curses;  and  thus  would  I  sit  for  hours,  sullen  and 
morose,  gnawing  my  knuckles  and  staring  on  vacancy. 


2o8    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

Or  again,  beholding  my  enemy  so  serene,  so  placid  and 
unmoved  (and  his  case  no  better  than  my  own)  I  would 
fall  to  sudden  bitter  revilings  of  him,  until,  meeting 
the  gentle  patience  of  his  look,  I  would  fall  silent  for 
very  shame. 

At  last,  upon  a  night,  tossing  upon  my  wretched  bed 
in  dire  torment  of  soul,  I  chanced  to  espy  my  enemy 
and  him  sleeping;  whereat  I  fell  to  fierce  anger. 

"Ha,  Brandon!"  I  cried.  "Will  ye  sleep,  man,  will 
ye  sleep  and  I  in  torment.  Wake — wake  and  tell  me, 
must  we  die  soon?  Wake,  I  say!"  At  this  he  raised 
himself  to  blink  at  me  in  the  beam  of  the  lanthorn. 
"Must  we  die  soon,  tliink  ye?"  I  demanded  fiercely. 

"In  God's  time,  Martin!"  said  he. 

"Think  ye  they  will — torture  me  first?"  Now  here, 
seeing  his  troubled  look  and  how  he  groped  for 
an  answer,  I  cursed  and  bade  him  tell  me,  aye  or 
no. 

"Alas,  I  do  fear  it!"  said  he. 

"We  are  beyond  hope?"  I  demanded. 

"Nay,  there  is  always  God,"  said  he.  "But  we  are 
beyond  all  human  aid.  This  do  I  know  by  reason  of 
this  airy  dungeon  and  the  luxury  of  food  and  light. 
Fra  Alexo  doeth  nought  unreasonably;  thus  we  have 
our  lanthorn  that  we,  haply  waking  from  dreams  of 
home  and  happiness,  may  behold  our  prison  walls  and 
know  an  added  grief.  Instead  of  the  water-dungeon 
or  the  black  terror  of  cell  deep-hidden  from  the  blessed 
day,  he  hath  set  us  in  this  goodly  place  that  we, 
beholding  the  sun,  may  3^eam  amain  for  the  blessed 
freedom  of  God's  green  world " 

"Ha!"  quoth  I.  "And  for  those  he  dooms  to  the 
torment  he  sendeth  rich  food  and  generous  wine — aye, 
aye,  I  see  it  now — a  man  strong  and  full-blooded  may 
endure  more  agony  and  longer.  So  they  will  torture 
me — as  they  did  you — but  when,  ah,  God — when?" 
And  here  I  sank  face  down   upon  my  bed   and  lay 


How  I  Found  My  Soul        209 

there  shuddering.  And  presently  I  was  aware  of  my 
companion  kneeling  beside  me,  his  hand  upon  my 
shoulder,  his  gentle  voice  in  my  ear: 

*'Comfort  ye,  Martin,  comfort  ye,  God  shall  give 
ye  strength " 

"Nay,  I  am  a  coward !"  I  cried  bitterly.  "A  shame- 
ful craven!" 

''Yet  you  do  not  fear !  You  have  endured !  The 
fire  hath  no  terrors  for  you !" 

"Because  I  am  old  in  suffering,  and  am  done  with 
fear,  because,  beyond  smoke  and  flame,  I  shall  find  God 
at  last." 

"Think  ye  there  is  a  God.?" 

"I  know'it,  Martin !" 

"Yet  am  I  coward!"  I  groaned.  "Though  'tis  not 
death  I  fear,  nor  the  torture  so  much,  'tis  rather  to  be 
thus  counting  the  hours " 

"I  know,"  said  he,  sighing.  "I  know.  'Tis  the 
waiting  for  what  is  to  be,  ah,  the  weary,  weary  wait- 
ing— 'tis  this  doth  shake  the  strongest;  the  hour  of 
suffering  may  be  now,  or  to-morrow,  or  a  month 
hence." 

"God  send  it  be  to-night!"  said  I  fervently.  "And 
to-night,  and  while  I  am  yet  the  man  I  am,  know  this ; 
I,  that  lived  but  for  vengeance,  dying,  do  renounce  it 
once  and  for  ever.  I,  that  came  hither  seeking  an 
enemy,  find,  in  place  of  hated  foe,  a  man  ennobled  by 
his  sufferings  and  greater  than  myself.  So,  as  long 
as  life  remains  to  us,  let  there  be  peace  and  good 
will  betwixt  us.  Sir  Richard.  And  as  you  once  sued 
forgiveness    of    me,    now    do    I    sue    your    friendship 


"Martin !"  said  he  in  choking  voice,  and  then  again, 
"Oh,  Martin  Conisby,  thus  hath  God  answered  my 
prayer  and  thus  doth  the  feud  betwixt  Conisby  and 
Brandon  end " 

"Yes !"  said  I.     "Yes— so  do  I  know  at  last  that  I 


210    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

have  followed  a  vain  thing  and  lost  all  the  sweetness 
life  had  to  offer." 

Now  here,  seeing  me  lie  thus  deject  and  forlorn,  he 
stooped  and  set  his  ragged  arm  about  me. 

*'Grieve  not,  Martin,"  said  he  in  strange,  glad  voice, 
"grieve  not,  for  in  losing  so  much  you  have  surely  found 
a  greater  thing.  Here,  in  this  dread  place,  you  have 
found  your  soul." 

And  presently,  sheltered  in  the  frail  arm  of  the  man 
had  been  my  bitter  enemy,  I  took  comfort  and  fell  to 
sweet  and  dreamless  slumber. 

Another  day  had  dragged  its  weary  length:  Sir 
Richard  lay  asleep,  I  think,  and  I,  gloomy  and  sullen, 
lay  watching  the  light  fade  beyond  the  grating  in  the 
wall  when,  catching  my  breath,  I  started  and  peered 
up,  misdoubting  my  eyes,  for  suddenly,  'twixt  the  bars 
of  this  grating,  furtive  and  silent  crept  a  hand  that 
opening,  let  fall  something  white  and  shapeless  that 
struck  the  stone  floor  with  a  sharp,  metallic  sound, 
and  vanished  stealthily  as  it  had  come.  For  a  while 
I  stared  up  at  this  rusty  grating,  half-fearing  I  was 
going  mad  at  last,  yet  when  I  thought  to  look  below, 
there  on  the  floor  lay  the  shapeless  something  where 
it  had  fallen.  With  every  nerve  a-thrill  I  rose  and 
creeping  thither,  took  it  up  and  saw  it  was  Adam's 
chart,  the  which  had  been  taken  from  me,  with  all  else 
I  possessed;  this  wrapped  about  a  key  and  a  small, 
sharp  knife ;  on  the  back  of  which,  traced  in  a  scrawl- 
ing hand,  I  read  these  words,  viz : 

**A  key  to  your  fetters.    A  knife  to  your  release. 
Once  free  of  your  dungeon  take  every  passage 
Bearing  to  the  left;  so  shall  you  reach  the  postern. 
There  one  shall  wait,  wearing  a  white  scarf. 
Follow  him  and  God  speed  you. 
You  will  be  visited  at  sunset." 

To  be  lifted  thus  from  blackest  despair  to  hope's 
very  pinnacle  wrought  on  me  so  that  I  was  like  one 


How  I  Found  My  Soul        211 

entranced,  staring  down  at  knife  and  paper  and  key 
where  they  had  fallen  from  my  nerveless  hold;  then, 
catching  up  the  knife,  I  stood  ecstatic  to  thumb  over 
point  and  edge  and  felt  myself  a  man  once  more,  calm 
and  resolute,  to  defy  every  inquisitor  in  Spanish 
America,  and  this  merely  by  reason  of  the  touch  of  this 
gpod  steel,  since  here  was  a  means  whereby  (as  a  last 
resource)  I  might  set  myself  safe  beyond  their  devilish 
torments  once  and  for  all.  And  now  my  soul  went  out 
in  passionate  gratitude  to  Don  Federigo  since  this 
(as  I  judged)  must  be  of  his  contrivance. 

But  the  shadows  deepening  warned  me  that  the  sun 
had  set  wherefore  I  slipped  off  my  shoes  as  softly  as 
possible  not  to  disturb  Sir  Richard's  slumbers,  and 
made  me  ready  to  kill  or  be  killed. 

And  presently  I  heard  the  creak  of  bolts  and,  creep- 
ing in  my  stockinged  feet,  posted  myself  behind  the 
door  as  it  opened  to  admit  the  silent,  shrouded  form  of 
a  familiar  bearing  a  lanthom.  Now,  seeing  he  came 
alone,  I  set  the  knife  in  my  girdle  and,  crouched  in  the 
shadow  of  the  door,  watched  my  time;  for  a  moment 
he  stood,  seeming  to  watch  Sir  Richard  who,  roused  by 
the  light,  stirred  and,  waking,  blinked  fearfully  at  this 
silent  shape. 

"Ah,  what  now?"  he  questioned.  "Is  it  me  ye 
seek?"  For  answer  the  familiar  set  down  the  lanthom 
and  beckoned  with  his  finger.  Then,  as  Sir  Richard 
struggled  painfully  to  his  feet,  I  sprang  and  grappled 
this  hateful,  mufRed  form  ere  he  could  cry  out,  had  him 
fast  by  the  throat,  and  dragging  him  backwards  across 
my  knee,  I  choked  him  thus,  his  hoarse  whistling  gasps 
muffi,ed  in  his  enveloping  hood.  And  then  Sir  Richard 
was  beside  me. 

"Will  ye  slay  him,  Martin?"  cried  he. 

"Aye !"  I  nodded  and  tightened  my  grip. 

"Nay,  rather  spare  him  because  he  is  an  enemy; 
thus  shall  your  soul  go  lighter  henceforth,  Martin." 


212    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

So  in  the  end  I  loosed  my  hold,  whereupon  the 
familiar  sank  to  the  floor  and  lay,  twitching  feebly. 
Hereupon  I  rent  off  hood  and  robe  and  found  him  a 
poor,  mean  creature  that  wept  and  moaned,  wherefore 
I  incontinent  gagged  him  with  stuff  from  his  own  habit 
and  thereafter  locked  him  securely  into  my  fetters. 
And  now,  trembling  with  haste,  I  donned  his  habit 
and,  catching  up  the  lanthom,  turned  on  Sir  Rich- 
ard: 

"Come !"  said  I. 

"Nay !"  said  he,  wringing  his  fettered  hands.  "Nay 
— alas,  I  should  but  hamper  you " 

"Come!"  said  I,  my  every  nerve  a-tingle  to  be  gone. 
"Come — I  will  aid  you — hurry,  man — hurry !" 

"Nay,  'twere  vain,  Martin,  I  can  scarce  walk — 'twere 
selfish  in  me  to  let  you  run  such  needless  risks.  Go, 
Martin,  go — God  bless  you  and  bring  you  safe  out  of 
this  evil  place." 

Without  more  ado  I  tucked  my  shoes  into  my  bosom, 
caught  up  the  lanthom  and  hasted  away. 

But  as  I  went  I  must  needs  remember  the  pitiful 
eagerness  of  Sir  Richard's  look  and  the  despairing 
gesture  of  those  helpless,  fettered  hands. 

Hereupon  I  cursed  fiercely  to  myself  and,  turning 
about,  came  running  back  and,  finding  him  upon  his 
knees,  hove  him  to  his  feet  and,  or  ever  he  guessed  my 
purpose,  swung  him  across  my  shoulder  and  so  away 
again,  finding  him  no  great  burden  (God  knows)  for 
all  his  fetters  that  clanked  now  and  then  despite  his 
efforts.  Presently  espying  a  passage  to  my  left,  thither 
hurried  I  and  so  in  a  little  to  another ;  indeed  it  seemed 
the  place  was  a  very  maze  and  with  many  evil-looking 
doors  that  shut  in  God  only  knew  what  of  misery  and 
horror.  So  I  hasted  on,  while  my  breath  laboured  and 
the  sweat  ran  from  me;  and  with  every  clank  of  Sir 
Richard's  fetters  my  heart  leapt  ^dth  dread  lest  any 
hear,  though  indeed  these  gloomy  passageways  seemed 


How  I  Found  My  Soul        213 

quite  deserted.  And  ever  as  we  went,  nought  was  to 
see  save  these  evil  doors  and  gloomy  walls,  yet  I  strug- 
gled on  until  my  strength  began  to  fail  and  I  reeled 
for  very  weariness,  until  at  last  I  stopped  and  set  Sir 
Richard  on  his  feet  since  I  could  carry  him  no  further, 
and  leaned  panting  against  the  wall,  my  strength  all 
gone  and  my  heart  full  of  despair,  since  it  seemed  I 
had  missed  my  way. 

Suddenly,  as  I  leaned  thus,  I  heard  the  tinkle  of  a 
lute  and  a  voice  singing,  and  though  these  sounds  were 
dull  and  muffled,  I  judged  them  at  no  great  distance; 
therefore  I  began  to  creep  for^'ard,  the  knife  ready  in 
one  hand,  the  lanthorn  in  the  other,  and  thus  presently 
turning  a  sharp  angle,  I  beheld  a  flight  of  steps  sur- 
mounted by  a  door.  Creeping  up  to  this  door,  I 
hearkened  and  found  the  singing  much  nearer;  trying 
the  door,  I  found  it  yield  readily  and  opening  it  an 
inch  or  so  beheld  a  small  chamber  lighted  by  a  hanging 
lamp  and  upon  a  table  a  pair  of  silver-mounted  pistols ; 
coming  to  the  table  I  took  them  up  and  found  them 
primed  and  loaded.  I  now  beckoned  Sir  Richard  who 
crept  up  the  stairs  with  infinite  caution  lest  his  fetter- 
chains  should  rattle. 

The  chamber  wherein  we  stood  seemed  the  apartment 
of  some  officer,  for  across  a  small  bed  lay  a  cloak  and 
plumed  hat  together  with  a  silver-hilted  rapier,  which 
last  I  motioned  Sir  Richard  to  take.  Beyond  the  bed 
was  another  door,  and  coming  thither  I  heard  a  sound 
of  voices  and  laughter,  so  that  I  judged  here  was  a 
guard-room.  As  I  stood  listening,  I  saw  Sir  Richard 
standing  calm  and  serene,  the  gleaming  sword  grasped 
in  practised  hand  and  such  a  look  of  resolution  on  his 
lined  face  as  heartened  me  mightily.  And  now  again 
came  the  tinkle  of  the  lute  and,  gi^^ng  a  sign  to  Sir 
Richard,  I  softly  raised  the  latch  and,  plucking  open 
the  door,  stepped  into  the  room  behind,  the  pistols 
levelled  in  my  hands.  ^ 


214    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

Before  me  were  five  men — four  at  cards  and  a  fifth 
fingering  a  lute,  who  turned  to  gape,  one  and  all,  at 
my  sudden  appearance. 

"Hold !"  said  I  in  Spanish,  through  the  muffling  folds 
of  my  hood.  "Let  a  man  move  and  I  shoot !"  At  this 
they  sat  still  enough,  save  the  man  with  the  lute,  a 
small,  fat  fellow  who  grovelled  on  his  knees;  to  him  I 
beckoned.  "Bind  me  these  fellows!"  I  commanded. 
"No  ropes  here!"  he  stammered. 

"With  their  belts,  fool;  their  arms  behind  them — 
so !"  Which  done,  I  commanded  him  to  free  Sir  Rich- 
ard of  his  gyves ;  whereupon  the  little  fellow  obeyed 
me  very  expeditiously  with  one  of  the  many  keys  that 
hung  against  the  wall.  Then  I  gave  my  pistols  to 
Sir  Richard  and  seizing  on  the  little,  fat  man,  bound 
him  also.  Hereupon  I  gagged  them  all  five  as  well  as 
I  might  and  having  further  secured  their  legs  with  their 
scarves  and  neckerchiefs,  I  dragged  them  one  by  one 
into  the  inner  chamber  (the  doors  of  which  I  locked) 
and  left  them  there  mightily  secure.  Then,  catching 
up  a  good,  stout  sword  and  a  cloak  to  cover  Sir  Rich- 
ard's rags,  I  opened  another  door  and,  having  traversed 
a  sort  of  anteroom,  presently  stepped  out  into  the  free 
air. 

It  was  a  dark  night ;  indeed  I  never  saw  Nombre  de 
Dios  any  other  than  in  the  dark,  yet  the  stars  made 
a  glory  of  the  heavens  and  I  walked  awhile,  my  eyes 
upraised  in  a  very  ecstasy,  clean  forgetting  my  com- 
panion until  he  spoke. 
"Whither  now,  Martin?" 

"I  am  directed  to  a  postern,  and  one  bearing  a  white 
scarf." 

"The  postern?"  quoth  Sir  Richard.  "I  know  it  well, 
as  doth  many  another  unhappy  soul;  'tis  the  gate 
whereby  suspects  are  conveyed  secretly  to  the  ques- 
tion!" 

We  kept  to  the  smaller  streets  and  lanes,  the  which, 


How  I  Found  My  Soul        215 

being  ill-lighted,  we  passed  without  observation;  thus 
at  last,  following  the  loom  of  a  high  wall,  very  grim 
and  forbidding,  we  came  in  sight  of  a  small  gateway 
beneath  a  gloomy  arch,  where  stood  two  shadowy  fig- 
ures as  if  on  the  lookout,  whereupon  I  stopped  to 
reconnoitre  them,  loosening  my  sword  in  the  scabbard. 
But  now  one  of  these  figures  approached  and,  halting 
to  peer  at  us,  spoke  in  strange,  muffled  tones. 

"Seek  ye  the  white  scarf  .'^^  questioned  the  voice  in 
Spanish. 

"We  do !"  said  I.  At  this  the  man  opened  the  long 
cloak  he  wore  and  flourished  to  view  a  white  scarf. 

"Aye,  but  there  were  two  of  you,"  said  I.  "What 
is  come  of  your  fellow.?" 

"He  but  goeth  before,  Senor."  And  true  enough, 
when  I  looked,  the  other  dim  form  had  vanished,  the 
which  I  liked  so  little  that,  drawing  my  sword,  I  clapped 
it  to  the  fellow's  breast. 

"Look  now,"  quoth  I,  "play  us  false  and  you  die!" 

"The  Senor  may  rest  assured  1"  says  he,  never 
flinching. 

"Why,  then,  lead  on!"  I  commanded. 

Now  as  we  followed  this  unknown,  I  had  an  uncanny 
feeling  that  we  were  being  dogged  by  something  or  some 
one  that  flitted  in  the  darkness,  now  beliind  us,  now 
before  us,  now  upon  our  flank,  wherefore  I  walked  soft- 
treading  and  with  my  ears  on  the  stretch.  And  pres- 
ently our  guide  brought  us  amid  the  denser  gloom  of 
trees  whose  leaves  rustled  faintly  above  us  and  grass 
whispered  under  foot;  and  thus  (straining  my  ears, 
as  I  say)  I  thought  to  catch  the  sound  of  stealthy 
movement  that  was  neither  leaf  nor  grass,  insomuch 
that,  shifting  the  sword  to  my  left  hand,  I  drew  forth 
and  cocked  one  of  the  pistols.  At  last  we  came  out 
from  among  the  trees  and  before  us  was  the  gleam 
of  water  and  I  saw  we  were  upon  the  bank  of  a  stream. 
Here  our  guide  paused  as  if  unsure ;  but  suddenly  was 


2i6    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

the  gleam  of  a  lanthom  and  I  heard  Don  Federigo^s 
welcome  voice: 

"Is  thatHualipa?" 

Our  guide  moved  forward  and,  pausing  in  the  glare 
of  the  lanthorn,  let  fall  his  cloak  and  I,  beholding  that 
pallid,  impressive  face,  the  dull  eyes,  small  mouth,  and 
high  thin  nose,  knew  him  for  Fra  Alexo,  Chief  Inquisi- 
tor of  Nombre  de  Dios.  Then,  lifting  one  hand  to 
point  slim  finger  at  Don  Federigo,  he  spoke  in  his  soft, 
sweet  voice : 

"Don  Federigo,  long  hath  Holy  Church  suspected 
thee — and  Holy  Church  hath  many  eyes — and  hands. 
So  is  thy  messenger  dead  and  so  I  favoured  the  escape 
of  these  declared  heretics  that  through  them  thou 
aiightest  be  taken  in  thy  shameful  treachery.  Even 
now  come  armed  servants  of  the  Church  to  take  again 
these  doomed  heretics  and  with  them — thee  also.  Now 
kill  me  an  you  will,  but  thine  apostasy  is  uncovered; 
the  Holy  Inquisition  hath  thee  safe  at  last.  Thy  good 
name,  thy  pride  of  birth  and  place  shall  not  shelter 
thee    from    the    avenging   fire — oh,    most    treacherous 


one- 


Suddenly  he  choked,  clapped  his  two  hands  to  his 
throat,  staring  horribly ;  and  betwixt  his  fingers  I  saw 
a  small,  tufted  thing  deep-buried  in  his  throat.  Then 
all  at  once  there  burst  from  his  writhen  lips  an  awful, 
gasping  scream,  dreadful  to  hear,  and  then  he  was 
down,  writhing  and  gasping  awhile,  with  Don  Federigo 
and  Sir  Richard  bending  above  him. 

But  I,  well  knowing  what  this  was  and  remembering 
the  unseen  thing  that  had  tracked  us,  turned  to  the 
shadow  of  a  bush  hard  by  and  thus  beheld  a  shaggy 
head  that  peered  amid  the  leaves,  a  hairy  face  with 
wild,  fierce  eyes  and  teeth  that  gleamed. 

So  the  man  John  stared  down  at  his  handiwork, 
flourished  his  deadly  blowpipe  and  was  gone. 

"He  is  dead  I"  said  Don  Federigo.     "  'Tis  an  Indian 


How  I  Found  My  Soul       217 

|K)ison  I  have  met  with  ere  this — very  sudden  and 
deadly.  Fra  Alexo  stands  at  the  tribunal  of  his  God !" 
and  baring  his  head,  Don  Federigo  glanced  down  at 
the  dark,  contorted  shape  and  thence  to  the  gloomy 
trees  beyond,  and  beckoning,  brought  me  to  a  boat 
moored  under  the  bank  hard  by. 

"Senor  Martino,"  said  he,  "  'tis  time  you  were  gone, 
for  if  Don  Alexo  hath  turned  out  the  guard " 

"Nay,  sir,'*  quoth  I,  "they  must  be  some  while  a-com- 
ing,"  and  I  told  him  briefly  how  we  had  secured  the 
watch. 

"And  Fra  Alexo  is  dead!"  said  he. 

Here  I  would  fain  have  told  him  something  of  my 
gratitude  for  the  dire  risks  and  perils  he  had  run  on 
my  behalf,  but  he  caught  my  hands  and  silenced 
me. 

"My  friend  Martino,"  said  he  in  his  careful  English, 
"you  adventured  your  life  for  me  many  times ;  if  there- 
fore I  save  yours,  it  is  but  just.  And  your  vengeance 
- — is  it  achieved?" 

"Indeed,  sir,"  quoth  Sir  Hichard,  "achieved  to  the 
very  uttermost,  for  he  hath  carried  that  enemy  out 
from  the  shadow  of  death,  hath  perilled  his  own  chances 
of  life  that  I  might  know  the  joys  of  freedom — I  that 
was  his  bitter  enemy." 

"So  may  all  enmity  pass  one  day,  I  pray  God," 
sighed  Don  Federigo.  "And  now,  as  for  thee,  Martino 
my  friend,  vengeance  such  as  thine  is  thing  so  rare  as 
maketh  me  to  honour  thy  friendship  and  loath  to  lose 
thee,  since  we  shall  meet  no  more  in  this  life.  Thus 
I  do  grieve  a  little,  for  I  am  an  old  man,  something 
solitary  and  weary,  and  my  son,  alas,  is  dead.  This 
sword  was  mv  father's  and  should  have  been  his ;  take 
you  it,  I  pray,  and  wear  it  in  memory  of  me."  And 
speaking,  he  loosed  off  his  sword  and  thrust  it  upon 
me. 

"Noble  sir,"  said  I,  "dear  and  good  friend,  it  doth 


2i8    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

not  need  this  to  mind  me  of  all  your  high  courage  and 
steadfast  friendship — and  I  have  nought  to  offer  in 
return " 

"I  shall  ever  remember  your  strange  method  of  ven- 
geance!" said  he.  And  when  we  had  embraced  each 
other,  I  got  me  into  the  boat  and  aided  Sir  Richard 
in  beside  me. 

"Look  now,"  warned  Don  Federigo  as  I  loosed  the 
mooring  rope,  "pull  across  the  river  and  be  wary,  for 
in  a  little  the  whole  town  will  be  roused  upon  you. 
Get  clear  of  the  river  as  speedily  as  you  may.  And 
so,  farewell,  my  friend,  and  God  go  with  you!" 

For  answer  I  waved  my  hand,  then,  betaking  me 
to  the  oars,  I  pulled  out  into  the  stream  farther  and 
farther,  until  the  stately  form  of  Don  Federigo  was 
merged  and  lost  in  the  gloom. 

Sure  enough,  scarcely  had  we  come  into  the  shad- 
ows of  the  opposite  bank  than  the  silence  gave  place 
to  a  distant  clamour,  lost  all  at  once  in  a  ringing  of 
bells,  a  rolling  of  drums  and  a  prodigious  blowing  of 
horns  and  trumpets,  the  which  set  me  a-sweating  in 
despite  the  cool  night  wind,  as,  chin  on  shoulder,  I 
paddled  slowly  along,  unsure  of  my  going  and  very 
fearful  lest  I  run  aground.  In  the  midst  of  which 
anxieties  I  heard  Sir  Richard's  voice,  calm  and  gentle 
and  very  comforting: 

"With  a  will,  Martin — pull!  I  know  the  river 
hereabouts ;  pull,  Martin,  and  trust  to  me !"  Here- 
upon I  bent  to  the  oars  and  with  no  fear  of  being 
heard  above  the  din  ashore,  since  every  moment  bells 
and  drums  and  trumpets  waxed  louder.  Thus  pres- 
ently we  came  opposite  the  town,  a  place  of  shadows 
where  lights  hovered;  and  seeing  with  what  nicety  Sir 
Richard  steered,  keeping  ever  within  the  denser  shadow 
of  the  tree-clad  bank,  I  rowed  amain  until  we  were 
past  the  raving  town,  and  its  twinkling  lights  were 
blotted  i»ut  bv  a  sudden  bend  of  the  river. 


How  I  Found  My  Soul       219 

Suddenly  I  saw  Sir  Richard  stand  up,  peering,  heard 
his  voice  quick  and  commanding; 

"Ship  your  oars!"  Then  came  a  chorus  of  hoarse 
shouts,  a  shock,  and  we  were  rocking,  gunwale  and 
gunwale,  with  a  boat  where  dim  figures  moved,  crying 
shrill  curses.  I  remember  letting  drive  at  one  fellow 
with  an  oar  and  thereafter  laying  about  me  until  the 
stout  timber  shivered  in  my  grasp.  I  remember  the 
dull  gleam  of  Sir  Richard's  darting  blade  and  then  the 
two  boats  had  drifted  apart.  Tossing  aside  my  shat- 
tered oar,  I  found  me  another  and  rowed  until,  gasp- 
ing, I  must  needs  pause  awhile  and  so  heard  Sir  Rich- 
ard speaking: 

"Easy,  Martin,  easy !  There  lieth  the  blessed  ocean 
at  last;   but — see!" 

Resting  on  my  oars  and  glancing  whither  he  pointed, 
I  saw  a  light  suspended  high  in  air  and  knew  this 
for  the  riding-lanthom  of  a  ship  whose  shadowy  bulk 
grew  upon  me  as  I  gazed,  hull  and  towering  masts 
outlined  against  the  glimmer  of  stars  and  the  vague 
light  of  a  young  moon.  Hereupon  I  bowed  my  head, 
despairing,  for  this  ship  lay  anchored  in  midstream, 
so  that  no  boat  might  hope  to  pass  unchallenged; 
thus  I  began  to  debate  within  me  whether  or  no  to 
row  ashore  and  abandon  our  boat,  when  Sir  Richard 
questioned  me: 

"Can  you  sing  ever  a  Spanish  boat  song,  Martin.?" 

"No,"  said  I,  miserably.     "No " 

"Why,  then,  I  must,  though  mine  is  a  very  indiffer- 
ent voice  and  rusty  from  lack  o'  use ;  meantime  do  you 
get  up  the  mast;  the  wind  serves."  Which  said.  Sir 
Richard  forthwith  began  to  sing  a  Spanish  song  very 
harsh  and  loud,  whiles  I  sweated  amain  in  panic  fear; 
none  the  less  I  contrived  to  step  mast  and  hoist  sail 
and,  crouched  on  the  midship  thwart,  watched  the 
great  galleon  as  we  bore  down  upon  her. 

And  presently  came  a  voice  hailing  us  in  Spanish 


220    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

with  demand  as  to  who  and  what  we  were,  whereat 
Sir  Richard  broke  off  his  song  to  shout  that  we  were 
fishermen,  the  which  simple  answer  seemed  to  reassure 
our  questioner,  for  we  heard  no  more  and  soon  the 
great  ship  was  merely  a  vague  shadow  that,  fading 
on  our  vision,  merged  into  the  night  and  was  gone. 

And  thus  in  a  while,  having  crossed  the  troubled 
waters  of  the  bar,  I  felt  the  salt  wind  sweet  and  fresh 
on  my  brow  like  a  caress,  felt  the  free  lift  and  roll  of 
the  seas;  and  now,  beholding  this  illimitable  expanse 
of  sky  and  ocean,  needs  must  I  remember  the  strait 
prison  and  dire  horrors  whence  God  had  so  lately  de- 
livered me,  and  my  soul  swelled  within  me  too  full  of 
gratitude  for  any  words. 

"Oh,  give  thanks  unto  the  Lord,  for  He  is  good, 
for  His  mercy  endureth  for  ever!" 

Turning,  I  espied  Sir  Richard  upon  his  knees,  one 
hand  grasping  the  tiller  sailorly,  the  other  upraised 
to  the  glimmering  firmament;  hereupon  I  knelt  also, 
joining  him  in  this  prayer  of  thanksgiving.  And  thus 
we  began  our  journey. 


CHAPTER  XXIV 

Or  Otjr  Adventure  at  Sea 

Dawn  found  us  standing  easterly  before  a  gentle 
wind  with  the  land  bearing  away  upon  our  right,  a 
fair  and  constantly  changing  prospect  of  sandy  bays, 
bold  headlands  and  green  uplands  backed  by  lofty 
mountains  blue  with  distance. 

And  what  with  all  the  varied  beauties  of  earth,  the 
blue  heaven,  the  sparkle  of  sea,  the  soft,  sweet  wind, 
it  verily  seemed  the  late  gloomy  terrors  of  my  dun- 
geon were  no  more  than  a  nightmare  until,  hearing  a 
moan,  I  turned  to  see  my  companion  stirring  in  un- 
easy slumber,  his  haggard  features  contorted  as  by 
some  spasm,  whereupon  I  touched  him  to  wakefulness, 
bidding  him  see  if  we  had  aught  aboard  to  eat  or  drink ; 
but  he  crouched  motionless  as  one  rapt  in  an  ecstasy, 
staring  eager-eyed  from  cloudless  heaven  to  sapphire 
sea  and  round  about  upon  the  glor}^  of  the  dawn  and 
fell  suddenly  a-laughing  as  from  pure  joy  and  as  sud- 
denly hid  his  face  within  his  shrivelled  hands. 

"This — O,  glory  of  God!  This,  instead  of  black 
despair !"  said  he  in  weeping  voice.  "This  sweet,  heal- 
ing wind  instead  of  searing  flame — and  you,  Martin, 
'tis  you  have  given  all  this !  I  dreamed  me  back  in 
the  hell  you  brought  me  from!  Sun  and  wind  and 
sea — oh,  God  love  thee — these  be  your  gifts  to  me  that 
was  your  enemy " 

"Nay,  our  enmity  is  dead  and  done  with " 

"Martin  Conisby,"  said  he,  looking  on  me  through 
his  tears,  "through  you,  by  God's  grace,  I  know  again 


222    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

the  joy  of  living,  and,  God  aiding  me,  you  shall  yet 
know  the  like  happiness  an  I  may  compass  it !" 

Now  seeing  him  thus  deeply  moved  I  grew  abashed 
and,  beckoning  him  to  take  the  tiller,  began  to  over- 
haul the  contents  of  the  boat's  lockers  and  thus  found 
that  Don  Federigo  had  furnished  us  to  admiration  with 
all  things  to  our  comfort  and  defence.  Forthwith  I 
set  out  breakfast,  choosing  such  things  as  I  judged 
the  most  perishable,  and  we  ate  and  drank  mighty 
cheerful. 

But  as  Sir  Richard  sat  thus  in  his  rags,  staring 
upon  all  things  with  ineffable  content,  the  bright  sun 
showed  me  the  hideous  marks  of  his  many  suiferings 
plain  and  manifest  in  his  bent  and  twisted  frame,  the 
scars  that  disfigured  him  and  the  clumsy  movements  of 
his  limbs  misshapen  by  the  torment,  and  moreover  I 
noticed  how,  ever  and  anon,  he  would  be  seized  of  vio- 
lent tremblings  and  shudderings  like  one  in  an  ague, 
insomuch  that  I  could  scarce  abide  to  look  on  him  for 
very  pity  and  marvelled  within  myself  that  any  man 
could  endure  so  much  and  yet  live. 

"Oh,  friend !"  said  he  suddenly,  "  'tis  a  wondrous 
world  you  have  given  back  to  me;  I  almost  grow  a 
man  again " 

Even  as  he  uttered  these  brave  words  the  shudder- 
ing took  him  once  more,  but  when  I  would  have  aided 
him  he  smiled  and  spake  'twixt  chattering  teeth: 

"Never  heed  me,  Martin — this  cometh  of  the  water- 
dungeons — 'twill  soon  pass " 

"God  knoweth  you  have  suffered  over-much " 

"Yet  He  hath  brought  me  forth  a  better  man  there- 
for, though  my  body  is — something  the  worse,  'tis  true. 
Indeed,  I  am  a  sorry  companion  for  a  voyage,  I 
doubt " 

"Howbeit,"  said  I,  "last  night,  but  for  your  ready 
wit,  we  had  been  taken " 

"Say  you  so,  Martin.^     Here  is  kind  thought  and 


Of  Our  Adventure  at  Sea      223 

comforting,  for  I  began  to  dread  lest  I  prove  an  en- 
cumbrance to  you." 

"Nay,  sir,  never  think  it !"  said  I,  "For  'tis  my 
earnest  hope  to  bring  you  to  the  loving  care  of  one 
who  hath  sought  you  long  and  patiently " 

"Is  it  Joan?  Ch,  mean  you  my  daughter  Joan? 
Is  she  in  these  latitudes?" 

"Even  so,  sir.  For  you  she  hath  braved  a  thou- 
sand horrors  and  evils." 

And  here,  in  answer  to  his  eager  questioning,  I  told 
him  much  of  what  I  have  writ  here  concerning  the 
Lady  Joan,  her  resolute  spirit  and  numberless  virtues, 
a  theme  whereof  I  never  wearied.  Thus,  heedless  of 
time,  of  thirst  or  hunger,  I  told  of  the  many  dire  perils 
she  had  encountered  in  her  quest,  both  aboard  ship 
and  on  the  island,  to  all  of  which  Sir  Richard  heark- 
ened, his  haggard  gaze  now  on  my  face,  now  fixed 
yearningly  on  the  empty  distances  before  us  as  he  would 
fain  conjure  up  the  form  of  her  whose  noble  qualities 
I  was  describing.  When  at  last  I  had  made  an  end, 
he  sat  silent  a  great  while. 

"I  was  a  proud,  harsh  man  of  old,"  said  he  at  last, 
"and  a  father  most  ungentle — and  'tis  thus  she  doth 
repay  me !  You  and  she  were  children  together — play- 
fellows, Martin." 

"Aye,  sir,  'twas  long  ago." 

"And  in  my  prideful  arrogance  I  parted  you,  be- 
cause you  were  the  son  of  my  enemy,  but  God  hath 
brought  you  together  again  and  His  will  be  done.  But, 
Martin,  if  she  be  yet  in  these  latitudes,  where  may 
we  hope  to  find  her?" 

"At  Darien,  in  the  Gulf !" 

"Darien?"  said  he.  "Why  there,  Martin?  'Tis  a 
wild  country  and  full  of  hostile  Indians.  I  landed 
there  once " 

So  I  told  him  how  Adam  had  appointed  a  place  of 
meeting  there,  showing  him  also  the  chart  Adam  had 


224    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

drawn  for  my  guidance,  the  which  we  fell  to  studying 
together,  whereby  we  judged  we  had  roughly  but  some 
eighty  leagues  to  sail  and  a  notable  good  sea-boat 
under  us,  and  that  by  keeping  in  sight  of  the  Main 
we  could  not  fail  of  fetching  up  with  the  rendezvous, 
always  suppose  we  lost  not  our  bearings  by  being 
blown  out  to  sea. 

"Had  I  but  quadrant  and  compass,  Martin " 

"How,  sir,"  said  I,  "can  you  navigate?" 
"I  could  once,"  said  he,  with  his  faint  smile.  Here- 
upon I  hasted  to  reach  these  instruments  from  one  of 
the  lockers  (since  it  seemed  Don  Federigo  had  forgot 
nothing  needful  to  our  welfare,  perceiving  which.  Sir 
Richard  straightened  his  bowed  shoulders  somewhat 
and  his  sallow  cheek  flushed.  *'Here  at  last  I  mai^ 
serve  you  somewhat,  Martin,"  said  he  and,  turning 
his  back  to  the  sun,  he  set  the  instrument  to  his  eye 
and  began  moving  the  three  vanes  to  and  fro  until 
he  had  the  proper  focus  and  might  obtain  the  sun's 
altitude;  whereby  he  had  presently  found  our  pres- 
ent position,  the  which  he  duly  pricked  upon  the  chart. 
He  now  showed  me  how,  by  standing  out  on  direct 
course  instead  of  following  the  tortuous  windings  of 
the  coast,  we  could  shorten  our  passage  by  very  many 
miles.  Hereupon  we  shaped  our  course  accordingly 
and,  the  wind  freshening  somewhat,  by  afternoon  the 
high  coast  had  faded  to  a  faint  blur  of  distant  moun- 
tain peaks,  and  by  sunset  we  had  lost  it  altogether. 

And  so  night  came  down  on  us,  with  a  kindly  wind, 
cool  and  refreshing  after  the  heats  of  the  day,  a  night 
full  of  a  palpitant,  starry  splendour  and  lit  by  a  young, 
horned  moon  that  showed  us  this  wide-rolling  infinity 
of  waters  and  these  vast  spaces  filled,  as  it  seemed, 
with  the  awful  majesty  of  God,  so  that  when  we  spake 
(which  was  seldom)  it  was  in  hushed  voices.  It  bein^ 
my  turn  to  sleep,  I  lay  down,  yet  could  not  close  mf 
e3^es  for  a  while  for  the  wonder  of  the  stars  above- 


Of  Our  Adventure  at  Sea      225 

and  with  my  gaze  thus  upHft,  I  must  needs  think  of 
my  lady  and  wonder  where  she  might  be,  with  passion- 
ate prayers  for  her  safety;  and  beholding  these  heav- 
enly splendours,  I  thought  perchance  she  might  be 
viewing  them  also  and  in  this  thought  found  me  great 
solace  and  comfort.  And  now  what  must  my  compaa 
ion  do  but  speak  of  her  that  was  thus  in  my  thought. 

"Martin,"  he  questioned  suddenly,  "do  you  love 
her?" 

"Aye,  I  do!"  said  I,  "mightily!" 

"And  she  you?" 

"God  grant  it!" 

"Here,"  said  he  after  some  while,  "here  were  a  noble 
ending  to  the  feud,  Martin?" 

"Sir,  'tis  ended  already,  once  and  for  all." 

"Aye,  but,"  said  he  with  a  catch  in  his  voice,  "all 
my  days  I — have  yearned — for  a  son.  More  espe- 
cially now — when  I  am  old  and  so  feeble." 

"Then,  sir,  you  shall  lack  no  longer,  if  I  can  thus 
make  up  in  some  small  measure  for  all  you  have  suf- 
fered  " 

At  this  he  fell  silent  again  but  in  the  dark  his  trem- 
bling hand  stole  down  to  touch  me  lightly  as  in  bless- 
ing; and  so  I  fell  asleep. 

From  this  slumber  I  was  suddenly  aroused  by  his 
calling  on  my  name  and,  opening  drowsy  eyes,  beheld 
(as  it  were)  a  luminous  veil  that  blotted  out  moon 
and  stars  and  ocean,  and,  looking  about,  saw  we  lay 
becalmed  in  a  white  mist. 

"Martin,"  said  Sir  Richard,  his  face  a  pale  oval  in 
the  dimness,  "d'ye  hear  aught.?" 

"No  more  than  the  lapping  of  the  waves,"  I  an- 
swered, for  indeed  the  sea  was  very  calm  and  still. 

"Nay,  listen  awhile,  Martin,  for  either  I'm  mad  or 
there's  some  one  or  something  crying  and  wailing  to 
larboard  of  us,  an  evil  sound  like  one  in  torment. 
Three  times  the  cry  has  reached  me,  yet  here  we  lie 


226    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

far  out  to  sea.     So  list  ye,  son,  and  tell  me  if  my  ears 
do  play  me  false,  for  verily  I " 

His  speech  died  away  as  from  somewhere  amid  the 
chill  and  ghostly  vapour  there  stole  a  long-drawn, 
wailing  cry,  so  woful,  so  desolate,  and  so  unearthly 
here  in  this  vasty  solitude  that  I  caught  my  breath 
and  stared  upon  this  eddying  mist  with  gaze  of  fear- 
ful expectancy. 

"You  heard  it,  Martin;  you  heard  it?" 

"Aye!"  I  nodded. 

"  'Tis  like  one  cries  upon  the  rack,  Martin !" 

"  'Tis  belike  from  some  ship  hid  in  the  fog  yonder," 
said  I,  handing  him  a  musket  from  the  arms-locker. 

"There  was  no  ship  to  see  before  this  fog  came  down 
on  us,"  quoth  Sir  Richard  uneasily;  howbeit  he  took 
the  weapon,  handling  it  so  purposefully  as  was  great 
comfort  to  see,  whereupon  I  took  oars  and  began  to 
row  towards  whence  I  judged  this  awful  cry  had  come. 
And  presently  it  rose  again,  dreadful  to  hear,  a  sound 
to  freeze  the  blood.  I  heard  Sir  Richard  cock  his 
piece  and  glanced  instinctively  to  make  sure  Don  Fed- 
erigo's  sword  lay  within  my  reach.  Three  times  the 
cry  rose,  ere,  with  weapon  poised  for  action,  Sir  Rich- 
ard motioned  for  me  to  stop  rowing,  and  glancing 
over  my  shoulder,  I  saw  that  which  loomed  upon  us 
through  the  mist,  a  dim  shape  that  gradually  resolved 
itself  into  a  large  ship's  boat  or  pinnace.  Sword  in 
one  hand  and  pistol  in  the  other,  I  stood  up  and  hailed 
lustily,  yet  got  no  sound  in  reply  save  a  strange,  dull 
whimpering. 

Having  shouted  repeatedly  to  no  better  purpose,  I 
took  oars  again  and  paddled  cautiously  nearer  until 
at  last,  by  standing  on  the  thwart,  I  might  look  into 
this  strange  boat  and  (the  fog  being  luminous)  per- 
ceived three  dark  shapes  dreadfully  huddled  and  still; 
but  as  I  gazed,  one  of  these  stirred  slightly,  and  I 
heard  a  strange,  dull,  thumping  sound  and  then  I  saw 


Of  Our  Adventure  at  Sea       227 

this  for  a  great  hound.  Hereupon  I  cast  our  boat- 
hook  over  their  gunwale  and  wliile  Sir  Richard  held 
the  boats  thus  grappled,  scrambled  aboard  them,  pis- 
tol in  hand,  and  so  came  upon  two  dead  men  and  beside 
them  this  great  dog. 

And  now  I  saw  these  men  had  died  in  fight  and  not 
so  long  since,  for  the  blood  that  fouled  them  and  the 
boat  was  still  wet,  and  even  as  I  bent  over  them  the 
hound  licked  the  face  of  him  that  lay  uppermost  and 
whined.  And  men  and  dog  alike  seemed  direly  thin 
and  emaciate.  Now  it  was  in  my  mind  to  shoot  the  dog 
out  of  its  misery,  to  which  end  I  cocked  my  pistol, 
but  seeing  how  piteously  it  looked  on  me  and  crawled 
to  lick  my  hand,  I  resolved  to  carry  it  along  with  us 
and  forthwith  (and  no  little  to-do)  presently  contrived 
to  get  the  creature  into  our  boat,  thereby  sa\dng  both 
our  lives,  as  you  shall  hear. 

So  we  cast  off  and  I  sat  to  watch  the  boat  until  like 
a  phantom,  it  melted  into  the  mist  and  vanished  away. 
Turning,  I  beheld  the  hound,  his  great  head  on  Sir 
Richard's   knee,   licking   the   hand   that   fondled   him. 

"He  is  pined  of  hunger  and  thirst,  Martin;  I  will 
tend  him  whiles  you  sleep.  He  shall  be  a  notable  good 
sentinel  and  these  be  very  keen  of  scent — the  Spaniards 
do  use  them  to  track  down  poor  runaway  slaves  withal, 
but  these  dogs  are  faithful  beasts  and  this  hath  been 
sent  us,  doubtless,  to  some  good  end." 


CHAPTER  XXV 

We  Are  Driven  Ashore 

And  now  were  daj's  of  stifling  heat,  of  baffling  airs 
and  maddening  calms,  wherein  we  rolled  helpless,  until 
in  my  impatience  I  would  betake  me  to  the  oars  in  a 
fever  of  desire  to  reach  our  destination  and  row  until 
the  sweat  poured  from  me. 

What  with  sea,  wind  and  fierce  sun  we  grew  brown 
as  any  Indians,  but  Sir  Richard  seemed  to  mend  apace 
and  to  my  great  joy,  for  as  time  passed  my  respect 
for  him  deepened  and  with  it  a  kindlier  feeling;  for 
in  these  long  days  and  nights  of  our  fellowship  I  grew 
to  know  how,  by  sufl'ering  patiently  borne,  a  man  might 
come  by  a  knowledge  of  himself  and  his  fellows  and  a 
kindly  sympathy  for  their  sins  and  sorrows  that  is 
(as  I  do  think)  the  truest  of  all  wisdom. 

Fain  would  I  set  down  some  of  these  heart-search- 
ing talks,  but  I  fear  lest  my  narration  grows  over- 
long;  suffice  it  that  few  sons  ever  bore  tenderer  rever- 
ence and  love  to  their  father  than  I  to  this,  my  erst- 
while enemy. 

So  will  I  now,  passing  over  much  that  befell  us  on 
these  treacherous  seas,  as  scorching  calms,  torrential 
rains  and  rageful  winds,  and  how  in  despite  all  these 
we  held  true  on  our  course  by  reason  of  Sir  Richard's 
sailorly  skill,  I  will  (I  say)  come  to  a  certain  grey 
dawn  and  myself  at  the  tiller  whiles  Sir  Richard  slept 
and  beside  him  the  great  hound  that  we  had  named 
Pluto,  since  he  had  come  to  us  from  the  dead. 

Now  presently  I  saw  the  dog  stir  uneasily  and  lift 
his  head  to  sniff  the  air  to  windv/ard ;  thereafter,  being 
on  his  legs,  he  growled  in  his  throat,  staring  ever  in 


We  Are  Driven  Ashore        229 

the  one  direction,  and  uttered  a  loud,  deep  bay,  where- 
upon up  started  Sir  Richard,  full  of  question. 

"Sir,  look  at  the  dog!"  said  I,  pointing  where  Pluto 
stood  abaft  the  mast,  snuffing  and  staring  to  windward ; 
seeing  which.  Sir  Richard  took  the  perspective-glass 
and  swept  with  it  the  hazy  distance. 

"There  is  wind  yonder,  Martin ;  we  must  reef !" 
said  he,  the  glass  at  his  eye.  So  presently,  whiles  he 
steered,  I  shortened  sail  but  saw  his  gaze  bent  ever 
to  windward.  "Dogs  have  strange  senses !"  quoth  he. 
"Take  the  glass,  Martin ;  your  eyes  are  very  keen ; 
tell  me  if  you  see  aught  yonder  in  the  mist  against  the 
cloudbank  bearing  about  three  points.'*  Looking 
whither  he  directed,  I  made  out  a  dim  shape  that 
loomed  amid  the  mist. 

"You  see  it,  Martin?" 

"Aye,  a  ship !"  said  I,  and  even  as  I  spoke,  the 
wind  freshening,  the  rain  ceased,  the  mist  thinned  away, 
and  I  saw  a  large  vessel  ahead  of  us  standing  in  for 
the  land  which  bore  some  five  miles  to  leeward,  a  high, 
rugged  coast,  very  grim  and  forbidding. 

"How  is  she  heading,  Martin?" 

"Southwesterly,  I  make  it,  which  should  bring  her 
close  upon  us  mighty  soon,  if  the  wind  hold."  And 
passing  Sir  Richard  the  glass,  I  sat  staring  on  this 
distant  ship  in  no  little  apprehension,  since  I  judged 
most  vessels  that  plied  hereabouts  could  be  but  one  of 
two  sorts,  viz :  pirates  or  Spaniards. 

"She  is  a  great  ship,  Martin,  and  by  her  cut  I  think 
Spanish." 

"I  had  liefer  she  were  a  pirate!"  said  I,  scowling. 

"Your  wish  may  he  granted  soon  enough,  for  she  is 
going  free  and  much  wind  astern  of  her." 

Now  whiles  Sir  Richard  watched  this  oncoming  ves- 
sel, I  took  up  Don  Federigo's  sword,  and,  struck  by 
its  beauty,  began  to  examine  it  as  I  had  not  done  hith- 
erto.    And  indeed   a  very  noble  weapon  it  was,   the 


230    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

hilt  of  rare  craftsmanship,  b^ing  silver  cunningl;y  in^ 
laid  with  gold,  long  and  narrow  in  the  blade,  whereon, 
graven  in  old  Spanish,  I  saw  the  legend: 

TRUST  IN  GOD  AND  ME. 

A  most  excellent  weapon,  quick  in  the  hand  by  reason 
of  its  marvellous  poise  and  balance.  But  looking  upon 
this,  I  must  needs  remember  him  that  had  given  it  and 
bethinking  me  how  he  had  plucked  me  forth  from  the 
horror  of  death  and  worse,  I  raised  my  head  to  scowl 
again  upon  the  oncoming  ship,  and  with  teeth  hard-set 
vowed  within  myself  that  no  power  should  drag  me  a 
living  man  back  to  the  terrors  of  dungeon  and  torment. 
And  now  as  I  crouched  thus,  scowling  on  the  ship,  the 
naked  sword  across  my  knees,  Sir  Richard  called  to  me: 

"She  is  Spanish-built  beyond  all  doubting  and  who- 
ever chance  to  be  aboard,  they've  seen  us,"  said  he, 
setting  by  the  glass.  "Come  now,  let  us  take  counsel 
whether  to  go  about,  hold  on,  or  adventure  running 
ashore,  the  which  were  desperate  risk  by  the  look  of 
things " 

"Let  us  stand  on  so  long  as  we  may,"  quoth  I,  "for 
if  the  worst  come,  we  have  always  this,"  and  reaching 
a  pistol,  I  laid  it  on  the  thwart  beside  me. 

"Nay,  Martin,"  said  he,  his  hand  on  my  shoulder, 
"first  let  us  do  all  we  may  to  live,  trusting  in  God  Who 
hath  saved  and  delivered  us  thus  far.  We  have  arms 
to  our  defence  and  I  can  still  pull  trigger  at  a  pinch, 
or  at  extremity  we  may  run  ashore  and  contrive  to 
land,  though  'tis  an  evil  coast  as  you  may  see  and  I, 
alack!  am  a  better  traveller  sitting  thus  than  afoot. 
As  to  dying,  Martin,  if  it  must  be  so,  why  then  let  us 
choose  our  own  fashion,  for  as  Sir  Richard  Grenviile 
hath  it,  'better  fall  into  the  hands  of  God  than  into 
the  claws  of  Spain !'  " 

Thus  spake  my  companion  mighty  cheering,  his  se- 
rene blue  eyes  now  on  me,  now  on  the  distant  ship,  as 


We  Are  Driven  Ashore        231 

he  held  our  heeling  boat  to  the  freshening  wind ;  here- 
upon, greatly  comforted  I  grasped  his  hand  and  to- 
gether we  vowed  never  to  be  taken  alive.  Then,  seeing 
the  ship  come  down  on  us  apace,  I  busied  myself  laying 
to  hand  such  arsenal  as  Don  Federigo  had  furnished 
us  withal,  viz:  four  muskets  with  their  bandoliers  and 
two  brace  of  pistols ;  which  done,  I  took  to  watching  the 
ship  again  until  she  was  so  close  I  might  discern  her 
lofty,  crowded  decks.  And  then,  all  at  once,  the  wind 
died  utterly  away,  and  left  us  becalmed,  to  my  inex- 
pressible joy.  For  now,  seeing  the  great  ship  roll 
thus  helpless,  I  seized  the  oars. 

"Inshore !"  I  cried,  and  began  to  row  might  and 
main,  whereat  those  aboard  ship  fired  a  gun  to  wind- 
ward and  made  a  waft  with  their  ensign  as  much  as 
to  bid  us  aboard  them.  But  I  heeding  no  whit,  they 
let  fly  a  great  shot  at  us  that,  falling  short,  plunged 
astern  in  a  whirl  of  spray.  Time  and  again  they  fired 
such  fore-chase  guns  as  chanced  to  bear,  but  finding 
us  out  of  range,  they  gave  over  wasting  more  powder 
and  I  rejoiced,  until  suddenly  I  espied  that  which  made 
me  gloomy  enough,  for  'twixt  the  ship  and  us  came  a 
boat  full  of  men  who  rowed  lustily;  and  they  being 
many  and  I  one,  they  began  to  overhaul  us  rapidly 
despite  my  efforts,  till,  panting  in  sweating  despair,  I 
ceased  my  vain  labour  and  made  to  reach  for  the  near- 
est musket. 

''Let  be,  my  son!"  quoth  Sir  Richard,  on  his  knees 
in  the  stem  sheets.  "Row,  Martin,  the  boat  rides 
steadier.  Ha !"  said  he,  with  a  little  chuckling  laugh, 
as  a  bullet  hummed  over  us.  "So  we  must  fight,  after 
all;  well,  on  their  own  heads  be  it!"  And  as  he  took 
up  and  cocked  a  musket,  I  saw  his  eyes  were  shining 
and  his  lips  upcurled  in  grim  smile.  "Alas,  I  was  ever 
too  forward  for  fight  in  the  old  days,  God  forgive  me, 
but  here,  as  I  think,  is  just  and  sufficient  cause  for 
bloodshed." 


232    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

"They  come  on  amain!"  I  gasped,  as  I  swung  to 
the  heavy  oars,  wondering  to  behold  him  so  uncon- 
cerned and  deliberate. 

"Let  them  come,  Martin !"  said  he,  crouching  in  the 
stem  sheets,  "only  keep  you  an  even  stroke — so,  steady 
it  is !     Aye,  let  them  come,  Martin,  and  God's  will  be 

done!" 

And  now  our  pursuers  began  firing  amain,  though 
for  the  most  part  their  shooting  was  very  wild;  but 
presently,  finding  we  made  no  reply,  they  grew  bolder, 
hallooing  and  shouting  blithely  and  taking  better  aim, 
so  that  their  shot  hummed  ever  nearer  and  once  or 
twice  the  boat  was  struck.  And  as  I  hearkened  to  their 
ribald  shouting  and  the  vicious  hiss  of  their  bullets, 
fierce  anger  took  me  and  I  began  to  curse  Sir  Rich- 
ard's delay;  then  came  the  roar  of  his  piece  and  as 
the  smoke  cleared  I  saw  a  man  start  up  in  the  bows 
of  the  pursuing  boat  and  tossing  up  his  arms,  fall 
backwards  upon  the  rowers,  thereby  throwing  them 
into  clamorous  confusion  so  that  their  boat  fell  off 
and  lay  rolling  helplessly. 

"Load,  Martin!"  quoth  Sir  Richard  'twixt  shut 
teeth.  "Load  as  I  fire — for  now  by  God  I  have  'era 
— see  yonder!"  And  thrusting  towards  me  his  smok- 
ing weapon,  he  caught  up  the  next,  levelled  and  fired 
again,  whereupon  their  shouting  and  confusion  were 
redoubled. 

Thus  Sir  Richard  fired  on  them  repeatedly  and  with 
deadly  effect,  judging  by  their  outcries,  for  I  was  too 
busy  loading  and  priming  to  afford  them  a  glance,  so 
that  Sir  Richard  maintained  as  rapid  a  fire  as  possible. 
How  long  we  fought  them  thus  I  know  not;  indeed  I 
remember  little  of  the  matter  save  smoke  and  noise. 
Sir  Richard's  grim  figure  and  the  occasional  hiss  of  a 
bullet  about  us.  Suddenly  Sir  Richard  turned  to  stare 
up  at  me,  wild-eyed  and  trembling,  as  in  one  of  his 
ague-fits. 


We  Are  Driven  Ashore        233 

"Enough,  Martin !"  he  gasped.  "God  forgive  me, 
I  ha'  done  enough — and  here's  the  wind  at  last!" 

Seeing  this  indeed  was  so,  I  sprang  to  loose  out  the 
reefs,  which  done,  I  saw  the  enemy's  boat  lie  wallowing 
in  the  trough  and  never  so  much  as  an  oar  stirring. 
But  beyond  this  was  another  boat  hasting  to  their  as- 
sistance and  beyond  this  again  the  ship  herself,  so 
that  I  joyed  to  feel  our  little  vessel  bounding  shore- 
wards.  But  hearing  a  groan,  I  saw  Sir  Richard 
crouched  at  the  tiller,  his  white  head  bowed  upon  his 
hand. 

"God  love  me — are  you  hurt,  sir.?"  I  cried,  scram- 
bling towards  him. 

"No,  Martin,  no!"  And  then,  "Ah,  God  forgive 
me,"  he  groaned  again,  "I  fear  I  have  been  the  death 
of  too  many  of  them — more  than  was  needful." 

"Nay,  sir,'*  said  I,  wondering.  "How  should  this 
be.?" 

"I  killed — for  the  joy  of  it,  Martin." 

"  'Twas  them  or  us.  Sir  Richard.  And  we  may  have 
to  kill  again — see  yonder !"  And  I  pointed  where  the 
ship  was  crowding  sail  after  us  with  intent  to  cut  us 
off  ere  we  could  make  the  shore — a  desolation  of  shaggy 
rocks  and  tree-girt  heights  that  looked  ever  the  more 
formidable;  yet  thither  we  held  our  course,  since  it 
seemed  the  lesser  of  two  evils. 

Our  boat,  as  I  have  said,  was  a  good  sailer;  none 
the  less  the  great  ship  overhauled  us  until  she  was  near 
enough  to  open  on  us  with  her  fore-chase  guns  again. 
But  presently  (being  yet  some  distance  from  the  shore) 
the  water  began  to  shoal,  whereupon  the  ship  bore  up 
lest  she  run  aground,  and  let  fly  her  whole  broadside, 
the  which  yet  was  short  of  us.  In  this  comparative 
safety  we  would  have  brought  to,  but  seeing  the  sec- 
ond boat  had  hoisted  sail  and  was  standing  into  these 
shallows  after  us,  we  perforce  ran  on  for  the  shore. 
Soon  we  were  among  rocks  and  before  us   a  line  of 


234    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

breakers  backed  by  frowning  rocks,  very  dreadful  to 
behold. 

And  now,  at  Sir  Richard's  command,  I  struck  our 
sail  and,  taking  to  the  oars,  began  to  row,  marvelling 
at  the  skill  with  which  he  steered  amid  these  difficult 
waters,  and  both  of  us  looking  here  and  there  for  some 
opening  amid  the  breakers  whereby  we  might  gain 
the  land. 

Presently,  sure  enough,  we  espied  such  a  place, 
though  one  none  would  have  attempted  save  poor  souls 
in  such  desperate  case.  The  air  about  us  seemed  full 
of  spume  and  the  noise  of  mighty  waters,  but  Sir  Rich- 
ard never  faltered ;  his  eyes  looked  upon  the  death  that 
roared  about  us,  serene  and  untroubled.  And  now  we 
were  amid  the  breakers ;  over  my  shoulder,  through 
whirling  spray,  I  caught  a  glimpse  of  sandy  foreshore 
where  lay  our  salvation;  then,  with  sudden,  rending 
crash,  we  struck  and  a  great  wave  engulfed  us.  Tossed 
and  buffeted  among  this  choking  smother,  I  was 
whirled,  half-stunned,  into  shoal  water  and  stumbling 
to  my  knees,  looked  back  for  Sir  Richard.  And  thus 
I  saw  the  dog  Pluto  swimming  valiantly  and  dragging 
at  something  that  stiniggled  feebly,  and  plunged  back 
forthwith  to  the  good  beast's  assistance,  and  thus  to- 
gether we  brought  Sir  Richard  ashore  and  lay  there  a 
while,  panting  and  no  strength  to  move. 

At  last,  being  recovered  somewhat,  I  raised  myself 
to  behold  my  companion,  his  frail  body  shaking  in  an 
ague,  his  features  blue  and  pinched.  But  beholding 
my  look,  he  smiled  and  essayed  a  reassuring  nod. 

"Thanks  to  you  and — the  dog,  I  am  very  well,  Mar- 
tin!" said  he,  'twixt  chattering  teeth.  "But  what  of 
the  boat;  she  should  come  ashore."  Looking  about, 
sure  enough  I  espied  our  poor  craft,  rolling  and  tossing 
helplessly  in  the  shallows  hard  by,  and  running  thither, 
was  seized  of  sudden  despair,  for  I  saw  her  bilged  and 
shattered  beyond  repair.     Now  as  she  rolled  thus,  the 


We  Are  Driven  Ashore        235 

sport  of  each  incoming  wave,  I  beheld  something  bright 
caught  up  in  her  tangled  gear,  whereupon  I  contrived 
to  scramble  aboard  and  so  found  this  to  ha  Don  Fed- 
erigo's  rapier,  the  which  was  some  small  mitigation  of 
mv  gloom  and  put  me  to  great  hopes  that  I  might  find 
more  useful  things,  as  compass  or  sextant,  and  so 
found  a  small  barrico  of  water  firm-wedged  beneath 
a  thwart ;  but  save  for  this  the  boat  was  swept  bare. 
So  having  secured  the  barrico  (and  with  no  small  to-do) 
I  hove  it  ashore  and  got  myself  after  it,  and  so  came 
mighty  despondent  where  sat  Sir  E-ichard  as  one  deep 
in  thought,  his  gaze  on  the  sea,  his  shrivelled  hand 
upon  the  head  of  the  dog  Pluto  crouched  beside  him. 

"Truly  we  are  in  evil  case,  Martin  1"  quoth  he,  when 
I  had  told  him  the  result  of  my  search.  "Aye,  we  are 
in  woful  plight!  And  this  land  of  Darien  is  very 
mountainous  and  ill-travelling  as  I  remember." 

''Yet  needs  must  we  adventure  it,"  said  I  gloomily. 

"You  must,  Martin;  but  as  for  me,  I  bide  here." 

"Here.''"  said  I,  glancing  around  on  the  barren,  un- 
lovely spot.  "Sir,  3^ou  talk  wildly,  I  think;  to  stay 
here  is  to  die." 

"Aye,  Martin,  so  soon  as  God  shall  permit." 

"Surely  our  case  is  not  so  hopeless  you  despair 
thus  soon.'^" 

"Sit  down,  here  beside  me,"  said  he,  smiling  up  at 
me.  "Come  and  let  us  reason  the  matter,  since  'tis 
reason  lifteth  man  above  the  brutes." 

So  there,  on  the  coast  of  this  vast,  unknown  wil- 
derness, sat  we  two  poor  castaways,  the  great  hound 
at  our  feet,  his  bright  eyes  looking  from  one  to  other 
of  us  as  we  spake  and  reasoned  together  thus : 

Sir  Richard :     First  of  all,  we  are  destitute,  Martin. 

Myself :      True. 

Sir  Richard:  Therefore  our  food  must  be  such 
game  as  we  can  contrive  to  take  and  kill  empty-handed. 

Myself :     This  shall  be  my  duty. 


236    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

Sir  Richard:  Second,  'tis  a  perilous  country  by 
reason  of  wild  Indians,  and  we  are  scant  of  arms. 
Third,  'tis  a  country  of  vasty  mountains,  of  torrents, 
swamps  and  thickets  and  I  am  a  mighty  poor  walker, 
being  weak  of  my  leg-joints. 

Myself :     Then  will  I  aid  you. 

Sir  Richard:  Fourthly,  here  is  a  journey  where 
though  one  may  succeec),  two  cannot:  full  of  peril  and 
hardship  for  such  as  have  a  resolute  spirit  and  strong 
body,  and  I  am  very  weak. 

Myself:     Yet  shall  your  resolute  spirit  sustain  you. 

Sir  Richard:  Fifthly  and  lastly,  I  am  a  cripple, 
so  will  I  stay  here,  Martin,  praying  God  to  bring  you 
safe  to  your  weary  journey's  end. 

Myself:     I  had  thought  you  much  stronger  of  late. 

Sir  Richard:  Indeed  so  I  am,  but  my  joints  have 
been  so  oft  stretched  on  the  rack  that  I  cannot  go 
far  and  then  but  slowly,  alas! 

There  was  silence  awhile,  each  of  us  gazing  out  across 
the  troubled  waters,  yet  I,  for  one,  seeing  nothing  of 
them.  Glancing  presently  at  Sir  Richard,  I  saw  his 
eyes  closed,  but  his  mouth  very  resolute  and  grim. 

"And  what  of  Joan?"  I  demanded.  "What  of  your 
daughter?" 

Now  at  this  he  started  and  glancing  at  me,  his  mouth 
of  a  sudden  lost  its  grimness  and  he  averted  his  head 
when  he  an^swered: 

"Why,  Martin,  'tis  for  her  sake  I  will  not  hamper 
you  with  my  useless  body." 

"So  is  it  for  her  sake  I  will  never  leave  you  here 
to  perish!" 

"Then  here,"  says  he  in  a  little,  "here  is  an  end  to 
reason,  Martin?" 

"Aye,  indeed,  sir!" 

"God  love  thee,  lad!"  cried  he,  clasping  my  hand. 
"For  if  'tis  reason  raiseth  us  'bove  the  brutes  'tis 
unselfishness  surely  lifts  us  nigh  to  God !" 


CHAPTER  XXVI 

Otjr  Desperate  Situation 

"And  now,"  quoth  Sir  Richard,  "since  you  are  bent 
on  dragging  this  worn-out  carcase  along  to  be  your 
careful  burden  (for  the  which  may  God  bless  you 
everlastingly,  dear  lad!)  let  us  see  what  equipment 
Fortune  hath  left  us  beside  your  sword  and  the  water." 

Herewith,  upon  investigation  we  found  our  worldly 
possessions  amount  to  the  following: 

In  Sir  Richard's  Pockets:  In  Mine: 

1  ship's  biscuit  (somewhat  A  length  of  small  cord. 

spoiled  by  water) .  Adam's  chart  (and  very 
A  small  clasp  knife.  limp). 

A  gunflint.  9  pistol  balls. 

These  various  objects  we  set  together  before  us  and 
I  for  one  mighty  disconsolate,  for,  excepting  only  the 
knife,  a  collection  of  more  useless  odds  and  ends  could 
not  be  imagined.  Sir  Richard,  on  the  contrary,  having 
viewed  each  and  every  with  his  shrewd,  kindly  eyes^ 
seemed  in  no  wise  cast  down,  for,  said  he, 

"We  might  be  richer,  but  then  we  might  be  poorer 
— for  here  we  have  in  this  biscuit  one  meal,  though 
scant  'tis  true  and  not  over  tasty.  A  sword  and  knife 
for  weapons  and  tools,  a  flint  to  make  us  fires,  three 
yards  of  small  cord  wherewith  to  contrive  snares  for 
small  game,  and  though  we  ha'  lost  our  compass,  we 
have  the  coast  to  follow  by  day  and  the  stars  to  guide 
us  by  night  and  furthermore— 


i9 


238    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

"Nine  pistol  balls !"  quoth  I  gloomily. 

"Hum!"  said  he,  stroking  his  chin  and  eyeing  me 
askance.  "Having  neither  weapons  nor  powder  to  pro- 
ject them " 

"They  shall  arm  me  arrows!" 

"Aye,  but  will  they  serve?"  he  questioned  doubtfully. 

"Well  enough,  supposing  we  find  aught  to  shoot 
at " 

"Never  fear,  in  Darien  are  beasts  and  fowls 
a-plenty." 

"Well  and  good,  sir!"  said  I,  gathering  up  the  bul- 
lets, and  doing  so,  espied  a  piece  of  driftwood  carry- 
ing many  bent  and  rusty  nails,  the  which  (the  wood 
being  very  dry  and  rotten)  I  presently  broke  out  and 
to  my  nine  bullets  I  added  some  dozen  nails,  pocket- 
ing them  to  the  same  purpose.  And  now  having  col- 
lected our  possessions  (of  more  value  to  us  than  all 
the  treasures  of  Peru),  we  set  forth  upon  our  long  and 
toilsome  journey,  our  gaze  bent  ever  upon  the  cliffs 
that  frowned  upon  our  right  hand,  looking  for  some 
place  eas}^  of  ascent  whereby  we  might  come  to  the 
highlands  above  (where  we  judged  it  easier  travelling) 
and  with  Pluto  stalking  on  before  like  the  dignified  ani- 
mal he  was,  looking  back  ever  and  anon  as  if  bidding 
us  to  follow. 

And  as  I  watched  this  great  beast,  the  thought  oc- 
curred to  me  that  here  was  what  should  save  us  from 
starvation  should  we  come  to  such  extremity;  but  I 
spake  nothing  of  this  to  Sir  Richard  who  had  con- 
ceived a  great  affection  for  the  dog  from  the  first. 
And  after  some  while  we  came  to  a  place  where  the 
cliff  had  fallen  and  made  a  sloping  causeway  of  earth 
and  rocks,  topped  by  shady  trees.  This  we  began  to 
mount  forthwith  and,  finding  it  none  so  steep,  I  (lost 
in  my  thoughts)  climbed  apace,  forgetful  of  Sir  Rich- 
ard in  my  eagerness,  until,  missing  him  beside  me,  I 
turned  to  see  him  on  hands  and  knees,  dragging  him- 


Our  Desperate  Situation        239 

self  painfully  after  me  thus,  whereon  I  hasted  back  to 
him  full  of  self-reproaches. 

"  'Tis  only  my  legs !"  he  gasped,  lifting  agonised 
face.  "My  spirit  is  willing,  Martin,  but  alas,  my 
poor  flesh " 

<'Xay — 'tis  I  am  selfish!"  quoth  I.  "Aye,  a  selfish 
man  ever,  dreaming  only  of  my  own  woes !"  Saying 
which,  I  raised  him  and,  setting  an  arm  about  his 
wasted  form,  aided  him  as  well  as  I  might  until,  see- 
ing how  he  failed  despite  his  brave  struggles,  I  made 
him  sit  and  rest  awhile,  unheeding  his  breathless  pro- 
testations, and  thus  at  last,  by  easy  stages,  we  came 
to  the  top  of  the  ascent  amid  a  grove  of  very  tall  trees, 
in  whose  pleasant  shade  we  paused  awhile,  it  being 
now  midda}^  and  very  hot. 

Behind  us  lay  the  ocean,  before  us  a  range  of  mighty 
mountains  blue  with  distance  that  rose,  jagged  peak 
on  peak,  far  as  e^'e  could  see,  and  betwixt  them  and 
us  a  vast  and  rolling  wilderness,  a  land  of  vivid  sun 
and  stark  shadow,  dazzling  glare  on  the  uplands,  gloom 
in  the  valleys  and  above  swamp  and  thicket  and  track- 
less forests  a  vapour  that  hung  sullen  and  ominous  like 
the  brooding  soul  of  this  evil  country. 

"Fever!"  quoth  Sir  Richard,  stabbing  at  the  slug- 
gish mist  with  bony  fingers.  "Ague,  thi  flux — death! 
We  must  travel  ever  by  the  higher  levels,  Martin — 
and  I  a  cripple!" 

"\^^ly,  then,"  said  I,  "you  shall  have  a  staff  to  aid 
you  on  one  side  and  my  am:i  on  t'other,  and  shall  at- 
tempt no  great  distance  until  you  grow  stronger." 
So  having  found  and  cut  a  staff  to  serve  him,  we  set 
off  together  upon  our  long  and  arduous  pilgrimage. 

By  mid-afternoon  we  reached  a  place  of  rocks  whence 
bubbled  a  small  rill  mighty  pleasant  to  behold  and 
vastly  refreshing  to  our  parched  throats  and  bodies. 
Here,  though  the  day  was  still  young  and  we  had 
come  (as  I  judged)   scarce  six  miles,  I  proposed  to 


240    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

camp  for  the  night,  whereon  Sir  Richard  must  needs 
earnestly  protest  he  could  go  further  an  I  would, 
but  finding  me  determined,  he  heaved  a  prodigious  sigh 
and  stretching  himself  in  the  cool  shadow,  lay  there 
silent  awhile,  yet  mighty  content,  as  I  could  see. 

"Martin,"  quoth  he  at  last,  "by  my  reckoning  we 
have  some  hundred  and  fifty  miles  to  go." 

"But,  sir,  they  will  be  less  to-morrow  !'*  said  I,  busied 
with  my  knife  on  certain  branches  I  had  cut. 

"And  but  half  a  ship's  biscuit  to  our  sustenance, 
and  that  spoiled." 

"Why,  then,  throw  it  away;  I  will  get  us  better 
fare!"  said  I,  for  as  we  came  along  I  had  spied  sev- 
eral of  those  great  birds  the  which  I  knew  to  be  very 
excellent  eating. 

"As  how,  my  son?"  he  questioned. 

"With  bow  and  arrows."  At  this  he  sat  up  to  watch 
me  at  work  and  very  eager  to  aid  me  therein.  "So 
you  shall,  sir,"  said  I,  and  having  tapered  my  'bow- 
stave  sufficiently,  I  showed  him  how  to  trim  the  shafts 
as  smooth  and  true  as  possible  with  a  cleft  or  notch 
at  one  end  into  which  I  set  one  of  my  rusty  nails,  bind- 
ing it  there  with  strips  from  my  tattered  shirt;  in 
place  of  feathers  I  used  a  tuft  of  grass  and  behold! 
my  arrow  was  complete,  and  though  a  poor  thing  to 
look  at  yet  it  would  answer  well  enough,  as  I  knew 
by  experience.  So  we  fell  to  our  arrow-making, 
wherein  I  found  Sir  Richard  very  quick  and  skilful,  as 
I  told  him,  the  which  seemed  to  please  him  mightily. 

"For,"  said  he  miserably,  "I  feel  myself  such  a  bur- 
den to  thee,  Martin,  that  anything  I  can  do  to  lighten 
thy  travail  be  to  me  great  comfort." 

"Sir,"  said  I,  "these  many  years  have  I  been  a  soli- 
tary man  hungering  for  companionship,  and,  in  place 
of  enemy,  God  hath  given  me  a  friend  and  one  I  do 
love  and  honour.  As  to  his  crippled  body,  sir,  it 
beareth  no  scar  but  is  a  badge  of  honour,  and  if  he 


Our  Desperate  Situation        241 

halt  in  his  gait  or  fail  by  the  way,  this  doth  but  re- 
mind me  of  his  dauntless  soul  that,  despite  pain  and 
torment,  endured." 

So  saying,  I  caught  up  such  arrows  as  were  fin- 
ished (four  in  all)  and  taking  my  bow,  set  forth  in 
quest  of  supper,  with  Pluto  at  my  heels.  Nor  had 
I  far  to  seek,  for  presently  I  espied  several  of  these 
monstrous  birds  among  the  trees  and,  stringing  my 
bow  with  a  length  of  cord,  I  crept  forward  until  I  was 
in  easy  range  and,  setting  arrow  to  string,  let  fly. 
Away  sang  my  shaft,  a  yard  wide  of  the  mark,  soar- 
ing high  into  the  air  and  far  beyond  all  hope  of  recov- 
ery. 

This  put  me  in  a  fine  rage,  for  not  only  had  I  lost 
my  precious  arrow,  but  the  quarry  also,  for  off  flapped 
my  bird,  uttering  a  hoarse  cackle  as  in  derision  of  my 
ill  aim.  On  I  went,  seeking  for  something  should 
serve  us  for  supper,  yet  look  where  I  would,  saw  noth- 
ing, no,  not  so  much  as  parrot  or  macaw  that  might 
stay  us  for  lack  of  better  fare.  On  I  went,  and  might- 
ily hungry,  wandering  haphazard  and  nothing  to  re- 
ward me  until,  reaching  an  opening  or  glade  shut  in 
by  dense  thickets  beyond,  I  sat  me  upon  a  fallen  tree 
and  in  mighty  ill  humour,  the  dog  Pluto  at  my  feet. 
Suddenly  I  saw  him  start  and  prick  his  ears,  and  pres- 
ently, sure  enough,  heard  a  distant  stir  and  rustling 
in  the  thickets  that  grew  rapidly  nearer  and  louder 
to  trampling  rush;  and  out  from  the  leaves  broke 
some  dozen  or  so  young  pigs ;  but  espying  the  dog  they 
swung  about  in  squealing  terror  and  plunged  back 
again.  But  in  that  moment  I  let  fly  among  them  and 
was  mighty  glad  to  see  one  roll  over  and  lie  kicking, 
filling  the  air  with  shrill  outcry;  then  Pluto  was  upon 
it  and  had  quickly  finished  the  poor  beast,  aye,  and 
would  have  devoured  it,  too,  had  I  not  driven  him  off 
with  my  bow-stave. 

It  was  a  small  pig  and  something  lean,  yet  never  in 


242    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

this  world  hunter  more  pleased  than  I  as,  shouldering 
the  carcase  and  with  Pluto  going  before,  I  made  my 
way  back  to  our  halting-place  and  found  Sir  Richard 
had  contrived  to  light  a  fire  and  full  of  wonder  to 
behold  m}^  pig. 

"Though  to  be  sure,"  said  he,  "I've  heard  there  were 
such  in  Darien,  yet  I  never  saw  any,  Martin,  more 
especially  in  these  high  lands." 

"They  were  fleeing  from  some  wild  beast,  as  I 
judge,  sir,"  quoth  I. 

"Why,  then,  'twere  as  well  to  keep  our  fire  going  all 
night!"  said  he:  to  the  which  I  agreed  and  forthwith 
set  about  cutting  up  the  pig,  first  flaying  it  as  well  as 
I  might,  since  I  judged  the  skin  should  be  very  service- 
able in  divers  ways.  So  this  night  we  supped  excel- 
lent well. 

The  meal  over.  Sir  Richard  cut  up  what  remained 
of  the  carcase  into  strips  and  set  me  to  gather  certain 
small  branches  with  which  he  built  a  sort  of  grating 
above  some  glowing  embers  and  thus  dried  and  smoked 
the  meat  after  the  manner  of  the  buccaneers.  "For 
look  now,  Martin,"  said  he,  "besides  drying  the  meat, 
these  twigs  are  aromatic  and  do  lend  a  most  excellent 
flavour,  so  that  there  is  no  better  meat  in  the  world — 
besides,  it  will  keep." 

Beyond  the  rocky  cleft  bright  with  the  light  of  our 
fire  the  vasty  wilderness  hemmed  us  in,  black  and  sullen, 
for  the  trees  being  thick  hereabouts  we  could  see  no 
glimpse  of  moon  or  star.  And  amid  this  gloom  were 
things  that  moved  stealthily,  shapes  that  rustled  and 
flitted,  and  ever  and  anon  would  come  the  howl  of 
some  beast,  the  cry  of  some  bird,  hunting  or  hunted, 
whereat  Pluto,  crunching  on  a  bone,  would  lift  his 
head  to  growl.  So  with  the  fire  and  the  dog's  watch- 
fulness we  felt  tolerably  secure  and  presently  fell 
asleep. 


CHAPTER  XXVII 

We  Commence  Our  Journey 

Day  after  day  we  held  on,  suffering  much  by  reason 
of  heat,  thirst  and  fatigue,  since,  fearing  lest  we  should 
lose  sight  of  our  guide,  the  sea,  and  go  astray  to  per- 
ish miserably  in  the  wild,  we  followed  ever  the  trend 
of  this  mountainous  coast. 

By  rocky  ways  we  marched,  by  swamps  and  mazy 
thickets,  down  precipitous  slopes,  through  tangled 
woods,  across  wide  savannahs,  along  perilous  tracks 
high  above  dim  forests  that  stretched  away  like  a 
leafy  ocean,  whence  we  might  behold  a  wide  prospect 
of  all  those  weary  miles  before  us. 

And  surely  nowhere  in  all  this  world  is  to  be  seen 
a  country  more  full  of  marvels  and  wonders  than  this 
land  of  Darien.  For  here  rise  vasty  mountains  whose 
jagged  summits  split  the  very  heaven;  here  are  mighty 
rivers  and  roaring  cataracts,  rolling  plains,  thirsty 
deserts  and  illimitable  forests  in  whose  grim  shadow 
lurk  all  manner  of  beasts  and  reptiles  strange  beyond 
thought;  here  lie  dense  groves  and  tangled  thickets 
where  bloom  great  flowers  of  unearthly  beauty  yet  rank 
of  smell  and  poisonous  to  the  touch;  here  are  birds 
of  every  kind  and  hue  and  far  beyond  this  poor  pen 
to  describe  by  reason  of  the  beauty  and  brilliancy  of 
their  plumage,  some  of  which  would  warble  so  sweet 
'twas  great  joy  to  hear  while  the  discordant  croakings 
and  shrill  clamours  of  others  might  scarce  be  endured. 
Here,  too,  are  trees  (like  the  cocos)  so  beneficent  to 
yield  a  man  food  and  drink,  aye,  and  garments  to  cover 


244    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

him;  or  others  (like  the  raaria  and  balsam  trees)  that 
besides  their  timber  do  distil  medicinal  oils,  and  yet 
here  also  are  trees  so  noxious  their  mere  touch  brin^ 
eth  a  painful  disease  of  the  skin  and  to  sleep  in  their 
shadow  breedeth  sickness  and  death;  here,  too,  grow 
all  manner  of  luscious  fruits  as  the  ananas  or  pine- 
apple, with  oranges,  grapes,  medlars  and  dates,  but 
here  again  are  other  fruits  as  fair  to  the  eye,  yet 
deadly  as  fang  of  snake  or  sting  of  cientopi€s. 
Truly  (as  I  do  think),  nowhere  is  there  country  of 
such  extremes  of  good  and  evil  as  this  land  of 
Darien. 

Thus  day  by  day  we  held  on  and  daily  learned  I 
much  of  tree  and  fruit  and  flower,  of  beast,  bird  and 
reptile  from  Sir  Richard  who,  it  seemed,  was  deeply 
versed  in  the  lore  of  such,  both  by  reading  and  experi- 
ence; but  hourly  I  learned  more  of  this  man's  many 
and  noble  qualities,  as  his  fortitude,  his  unflinching 
courage  and  the  cheerful  spirit  that  could  make  light 
of  pain  and  thirst  and  weariness  so  that,  misjudging 
his  strength,  I  would  sometimes  march  him  well-nigh 
beyond  his  endurance,  but  knew  nought  of  it  since  he 
never  complained  but  masked  his  suffering  in  brave 
and  smiling  words.  And  there  were  times  when,  burn- 
ing with  impatience,  I  would  quicken  my  pace  (God 
forgive  me)  until,  missing  his  plodding  figure,  I  would 
look  back  to  see  him  stumbling  after  me  afar. 

It  was  upon  the  fifth  da}^  of  our  journey  that,  miss- 
ing him  thus,  I  turned  to  wait  for  him  to  come  up  and 
found  him  nowhere  in  sight.  Hereupon  I  hasted  back 
the  way  I  had  come  and  after  some  while  beheld  him 
prone  in  the  dust;  he  lay  outstretched  upon  his  face 
in  the  hot  glare  of  the  sun,  the  dog  Pluto  squatting 
beside  him,  and  as  I  approached  the  desolate  figure 
I  knew  that  he  was  weeping.  So  cam.e  I  running  to 
fall  beside  him  on  my  knees  and  lifting  that  abased 
head,  saw  indeed  the  agony  of  his  tears. 


We  Commence  Our  Journey    245 

**0h,  Martin — forgive  me!"  he  gasped.  **I  can 
crawl  no  faster — better  were  I  dead,  dear  lad,  than 
hamper  you  thus " 

"Rather  will  I  perish !"  said  I,  lifting  him  in  my 
arms  to  bear  him  out  of  the  sun  and  much  grieved  to 
find  him  a  burden  so  light ;  and  now,  sitting  'neath  a 
great  tree,  I  took  his  head  upon  my  bosom  and  wiped 
the  tears  from  his  furrowed  cheeks  and  set  myself  dili- 
gently to  comfort  him,  but  seeing  him  so  faint  and  fore- 
done,  I  began  alternately  to  berate  myself  heartily 
and  lament  over  him  so  that  he  must  needs  presently 
take  to  comforting  me  in  turn,  vowing  himself  very 
well,  that  it  was  nought  but  the  heat,  that  he  would 
be  able  to  go  and  none  the  worse  in  a  little,  etc.  "Be- 
sides,'' said  he,  "  'tis  worth  such  small  discomfort  to 
find  you  so  tender  of  me,  Martin.  Yet  indeed  I  am 
stronger  than  I  seem  and  shall  be  ready  to  go  on  as 
soon  as  you  will " 

"Nay,  sir,"  said  I,  mighty  determined,  "here  we 
bide  till  the  sun  moderates;  'tis  too  hot  for  the  dog 
even,"  and  I  nodded  where  Pluto  lay  outstretched  and 
panting,  hard  by.  But  now,  even  as  I  spoke,  the  dog 
lifted  his  head  to  snuff  the  air  and,  getting  up,  bolted 
off  among  the  adjacent  undergrowth.  I  was  yet  idly 
wondering  at  this  when  suddenly,  from  somewhere  afar 
in  the  woods  below,  came  a  sound  there  was  no  mis- 
taking— the  faint,  sharp  crack  of  a  firearm.  In  a 
moment  I  was  on  my  feet  and,  with  Sir  Richard  beside 
me,  came  where  we  might  look  into  the  green  depths 
below  us. 

And  sure  enough,  amid  this  leafy  wilderness  I  saw 
a  glitter  that  came  and  went,  the  which  I  knew  must 
be  armour,  and  presently  made  out  the  forms  of  men 
and  horses  with  divers  hooded  litters  and  long  files  of 
tramping  figures. 

"Ah !"  quoth  Sir  Richard.  "Yon  should  be  the  gold- 
train  for  Panama  or  Carthagena,  or  mayhap  Indians 


246    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

being  marched  to  slavery  in  the  mines,  poor 
souls !" 

As  he  spake,  came  a  puff  of  white  smoke  plain  to 
see  and  thereafter  divers  others,  and  presently  the  re- 
ports of  this  firing  smote  upon  our  ears  in  rapid  suc- 
cession. 

"What  now?"  said  I,  straining  my  eyes.  "Is  there 
a  battle  toward " 

"Nay,  Martin,  His  more  like  some  poor  wretch  hath 
broke  his  bonds  and  fled  into  the  woods;  if  so,  God 
send  him  safe  out  of  their  hands,  for  I  have  endured 

slavery   and -"  here  his   voice  broke,   and   casting 

himself  on  his  knees  he  clasped  his  arms  about  me,  and 
I  all  amazed  to  see  liim  so  moved. 

"Oh,  Martin !"  he  wept,  in  voice  of  agony,  "oh,  dear 
and  gentle  lad,  'twas  to  such  slavery,  such  shame  and 
misery  I  sent  thee  once — thou — that  I  do  so  love — 
my  son " 

"Sir,"  said  I,  stooping  to  lift  him.  "Sir,  this  is  all 
forgot  and  out  of  mind." 

"Yet,  dear  lad,  you  do  bear  the  marks  yet,  scars 
o'  the  whip,  marks  o'  the  shackles.  I  have  seen  them 
when  you  slept — and  never  a  one  but  set  there  by  my 
hand — and  now — ^now  you  must  cherish  me  if  I  fail  by 
the  way — must  bear  me  in  your  arms — grieve  for  my 

weakness Oh^  dear  lad,  I  would  you  were  a  little 

harsher — less  kind." 

Now  seeing  how  it  was  with  him,  I  sat  me  down 
and,  folding  him  within  my  arm,  sought  to  comfort  him 
in  my  blundering  way,  reminding  him  of  all  he  had 
endured  and  that  my  sufferings  could  nowise  compare 
with  his  own  and  that  in  many  ways  I  was  no  whit  the 
worse:  "Indeed,"  said  I,  "in  many  ways  I  am  the  bet- 
ter man,  for  solitude  hath  but  taught  me  to  think 
beyond  myself,  though  'tis  true  I  am  something  slow 
of  speech  and  rude  of  manner,  and  hardship  hath  but 
made  me  stronger  of  body  than  most  men  I  have  met." 


We  Commence  Our  Journey    247 

"Oh,  God  love  you,  lad !"  cried  he  of  a  sudden,  'twixt 
l&ughing  and  weeping.  "You  will  be  calling  me  your 
benefactor  next!" 

"And  wherefore  not?"  quoth  I.  "For  indeed,  being 
made  wise  by  suffering,  you  have  taught  me  many 
things  and  most  of  all  to  love  you  in  despite  of  my- 
self 1" 

Now  at  this  he  looks  at  me  all  radiant-eyed,  yet 
when  he  would  have  spoken,  could  not,  and  so  was  si- 
lence awhile.  Now  turning  to  look  down  into  the  val- 
ley I  saw  it  all  deserted  and  marking  how  the  forest 
road  ran  due  east,  I  spoke  that  which  was  in  my 
thought. 

"Sir,  yonder,  as  I  think,  must  be  a  highway;  at 
least,  where  others  go,  so  may  we,  and  'twill  be  easier 
travelling  than  these  rocky  highlands;  how  think 
you?" 

"Why,  truly,  if  road  there  be,  it  must  bring  us  again 
to  the  sea  soon  or  late ;  so  come,  let  us  go !" 

So  saying,  he  got  him  to  his  legs,  whereupon  Pluto 
leapt  and  fawned  upon  him  for  very  joy;  and  thus 
finding  him  something  recovered  and  very  earnest  to 
be  gone,  we  set  out  again  (maugre  the  sun)  looking 
for  some  place  whereby  we  might  get  us  down  into 
the  valley,  and  after  some  while  came  upon  a  fissure 
in  the  cliff  face  which,  though  easy  going  for  an  able 
man,  was  a  different  matter  I  thought  for  my  com- 
panion ;  but  as  I  hesitated,  the  matter  was  put  beyond 
despite  by  Sir  Richard  forthwith  cheerily  beginning 
the  descent,  whereupon  I  followed  him  and  after  me 
the  dog.  As  we  descended,  the  way  grew  easier  until 
we  reached  at  last  a  small  plateau  pleasantly  shaded 
by  palm  trees;  here  (and  despite  his  hardihood),  Sir 
Richard  sank  down,  sweating  with  the  painful  effort 
and  gasping  for  breath,  yet  needs  must  he  smile  up 
at  me  triumphant,  so  that  I  admired  anew  the  in- 
domitable spirit  of  him. 


248    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

"Oh,  for  a  drink!"  quoth  he,  as  I  set  an  armful  of 
fern  beneath  his  head. 

"Alas !"  said  I,  "  'tis  far  down  to  the  river ^ 

"Na}^ — above,  lad,  look  above — yonder  is  drink  for 
a  whole  ship's  company!"  and  he  pointed  feebly  to 
the  foliage  of  the  tree  'neath  which  he  lay: 

"What!  Is  this  a  cocos  palm?"  said  I,  rejoicing; 
and  forthwith  doffing  my  sword  belt,  I  clambered  up 
this  tree  hand  over  fist  and  had  soon  plucked  and  to»sed 
down  a  sufficiency  of  great,  green  nuts  about  the  big- 
ness of  my  two  fists.  Now  sitting  beside  him.  Sir 
Richard  showed  me  how  I  must  cut  two  holes  in  the 
green  rind  and  we  drank  blissfully  of  this  kindly  juice 
that  to  our  parched  tongues  was  very  nectar,  for 
verily  never  in  all  my  daj^s  have  I  tasted  drink  so 
delectable  and  invigorating.  As  for  Pluto,  when  I 
offered  him  of  this  he  merely  sniffed  and  yawned  con- 
temptuous. Thus  refreshed  we  went  on  again,  the 
way  growing  ever  easier  until  we  entered  the  shade  of 
those  vast  woods  we  had  seen  from  above. 

But  scarce  were  we  here  than  rose  such  a  chattering, 
whistling  and  croaking  from  the  leafy  mysteries  above 
and  around  us,  such  a  screaming  and  wailing  as  was 
most  distressful  to  hear,  for  all  about  us  was  a  great 
multitude  of  birds ;  the  forest  seemed  full  of  them,  and 
very  wonderful  to  see  by  reason  of  their  plumage,  its 
radiant  and  divers  hues,  so  that  as  they  flitted  to  and 
fro  in  their  glowing  splendour  they  seemed  like  so 
many  fl3^ing  jewels,  while  clustering  high  in  the  trees 
or  swinging  nimbly  among  the  branches  were  troops  of 
monke3^s  that  screamed  and  chattered  and  grimaced 
down  at  us  for  all  the  world  as  they  had  been  very 
fiends  of  the  pit. 

"Heard  ye  ever  such  unholy  hubbub,  Martin?"  said 
Sir  Richard,  halting  to  glance  about  us.  "This  por- 
tendeth  a  storm,  I  judge,  for  these  creatures  possess 
gifts  denied  to  us  humans.     See  how  they  do  begin  to 


We  Commence  Our  Journey    249 

cower  and  seek  what  shelter  they  may!  We  were  wise 
to  do  the  like,  my  son.  I  marked  a  cave  back  yonder; 
let  us  go  there,  for  these  woods  be  an  evil  place  at 
such  times." 

So  back  we  went  accordingly  and  saw  the  sunlight 
suddenly  quenched  and  the  sky  lower  above  us  ever 
darker  and  more  threatening,  so  that  by  the  time  we 
had  reached  the  little  cave  in  question,  it  almost  seemed 
night  was  upon  us.  And  now,  crouching  in  this  se- 
cure haven,  I  marvelled  at  the  sudden,  unearthly  still- 
ness of  all  things ;  not  a  leaf  stirred  and  never  a  sound 
to  hear,  for  beast  and  bird  alike  had  fallen  mute. 

Then  all  at  once  was  a  blinding  glare  followed  by 
roaring  thunder-clap  that  echoed  and  re-echoed  from 
rugged  cliff  to  mountain  summit  near  and  far  until 
this  was  whelmed  and  lost  in  the  rush  of  a  booming, 
mighty  wind  and  this  howling  riot  full  of  whirling 
leaves  and  twigs  and  riven  branches.  And  now  came 
the  rain,  a  hissing  downpour  that  seemed  it  would 
drown  the  world,  while  ever  the  lightning  flared  and 
crackled  and  thunder  roared  ever  more  loud  until  I 
shrank,  blinded  and  half-stunned.  After  some  while, 
these  awful  sounds  hushing  a  little,  in  their  stead  wa;* 
the  lash  and  beat  of  rain,  the  rush  and  trickle  of  wat^r 
where  it  gushed  and  spouted  down  from  the  chff  above 
ill  foaming  cascades  until  I  began  to  dread  lest  this 
deluge  overwhelm  us  and  we  be  drowned  miserably  in 
our  little  cave.  But,  all  at  once,  sudden  as  it  had  come, 
the  storm  was  passed,  rain  and  wind  and  thunder 
ceased^  the  sombre  clouds  rolled  away  and  down 
beamed  the  sun  to  show  us  a  new  and  radiant  world 
of  vivid  greens  spangled  as  it  were  with  a  myriad 
shimmering  gems,   a   very  glory   to   behold. 

"  ^is  a  passionate  countr}^  this,  Martin,"  as  we 
stepped  forth  of  our  refuge,  "but  its  desperate  rages 
be  soon  over." 

By  late  afternoon  we  came  out  upon  a  broad  green 


250    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

track  that  split  the  forest  east  and  west,  and  where, 
despite  the  rain,  we  might  yet  discern  faint  traces  here 
and  there  of  the  hoofs  and  feet  had  trampled  it  earlier 
in  the  day,  so  that  it  seemed  we  must  march  behind 
them.     On  we  went,  very  grateful  for  the  trees  that 
shaded  us  and  the  springy  grass  underfoot,  Sir  Rich- 
ard swinging  his  staff  and  striding  out  right  cheerily. 
Suddenly  Pluto,  uttering  a  single  joyous  bark,  sprang 
off  among  the  brush  that  grew  very  thick,  and  looking 
thither,  we  espied  a  small  stream  and  the  day  being 
far  spen£  we  decided  to   pass   the   night  hereabouts, 
so  we  turned  aside  forthwith  and  having  gone  but  a 
few  yards,  found  ourselves  quite  hidden  from  the  high- 
way, so  thick  grew  the  trees  and  so  dense  and  tangled 
the  thickets  that  shut  us  in ;  and  here  ran  this  purling 
brook,  making  sweet,  soft  noises  in  the  shallows  mighty 
soothing  to  be  heard.     And  here  I  would  have  stayed 
but  Sir  Richard  shook  wise  head  and  was  for  pushing 
farther  into  the  wild.     "For,"  said  he,  "there  may  be 
other  travellers  behind  us  to  spy  some  gleam  of  our 
fire  and  who  shall  these  be  but  enemies?"     So,  follow- 
ing the  rill  that,  it  seemed,  took  its  rise  from  the  cliffs 
to  our  left,  we  went  on  until  Sir  Richard  paused  in 
the  shade  of  a  great  tree  that  soared  high  above  its 
fellows  and  hard  beside  the  stream. 

But  scarce  were  we  come  hither  than  Pluto  uttered 
a  savage  growl  and  turned,  snuffing  the  air,  whereupon 
Sir  Richard,  grasping  the  battered  collar  about  his 
massy  throat,  bade  him  sternly  to  silence. 

"What  saw  I,  Martin?  Some  one  comes — ^iet  us  go 
see,  and  softly!" 

So,  following  whither  Pluto  led,  we  presently  heard 
voices  speaking  the  Spanish  tongue,  and  one  cursed, 
and  one  mocked  and  one  sang.  Hereupon  I  drew 
sword,  and  moving  with  infinite  caution,  we  came  where, 
screened  'mid  the  leaves,  we  might  behold  the  high- 
way.    And  thus  we  beheld  six  men  approaching  and 


We  Commence  Our  Journey    251 

one  a  horseman;  nearer  they  came  until  we  could  see 
them  sweating  beneath  their  armour  and  the  weapons 
they  bore,  and  driving  before  them  a  poor,  blood- 
stained wretch  tied  to  the  horseman's  stirrup,  yet  who, 
despite  wounds  and  blows,  strode  with  head  proudly 
erect,  heeding  them  no  whit.  Yet  suddenly  he  stum- 
bled and  fell,  whereupon  the  horseman  swore  again 
and  the  captive  was  kicked  to  his  feet  and  so  was 
dragged  on  again,  reeling  for  very  weariness ;  and  I 
saw  this  poor  creature  was  an  Indian. 

"Martin,"  said  Sir  Richard,  when  this  sorry  caval- 
cade was  gone  b}',  "it  would,  I  think,  be  action  com- 
mendable to  endeavour  rescue  of  this  poor  soul." 

"It  would,  sir!"  quoth  I.     "And  a  foolhardy." 

"Mayhap,"  said  he,  "yet  am  I  minded  to  adven- 
ture it." 

"How,  sir — with  one  sword  and  a  knife  .^" 

"Nay,  Martin,  by  God's  aid,  strategy  and  a  dog. 
Come  then,  let  us  follow;  they  cannot  go  far,  and 
I  heard  them  talk  of  camping  hereabouts.  Softly, 
lad!" 

"But,  sir,"  said  I,  amazed  at  this  audacity,  "will 
you  outface  five  lusty  men  well-armed?" 

"And  wherefore  not,  Martin.?  Is  the  outfacing  of 
five  rogues  any  greater  matter  than  outfacing  this 
God's  wilderness  ?  Nay,  I  am  not  mad,"  said  he,  meet- 
ing my  glance  with  a  smile,  "there  were  times  when 
I  adventured  greater  odds  than  this  and  to  worse  end, 
God  forgrve  me!  Alas,  I  have  wrought  so  much  of 
evil  in  the  past  I  would  fain  offset  it  with  a  little  good, 
so  bear  with  me,  dear  lad " 

"Yet  this  man  you  risk  your  life  for  is  but  a  stranger 
and  an  Indian  at  that.^' 

"And  what  then,  Martin?  Cannot  an  Indian  suffer 
— cannot  he  die?"  Here,  finding  me  silent,  he  con- 
tinued. "Moreover,  there  be  very  cogent  reasons  do 
urge  a  little  risk,  for  look  now,  these  rogues  do  go 


252    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

well  shod — and  see  our  poor  shoes !  They  bear  equip- 
ment very  necessary  to  us  that  have  so  far  to  go  and 
their  horse  should  be  useful  to  us.  Nor  dream  I  would 
lightly  hazard  your  life,  Martin,  for  these  men  have 
been  drinking,  will  drink  more  and  should  therefore 
sleep  sound,  and  I  have  a  plan  whereby  Pluto  and 
I " 

"Sir  Richard,"  said  I,  "where  you  go,  I  go!" 

"Why,  very  well,  Martin,  'twere  like  you — but  you 
shall  be  subject  to  my  guidance  and  do  nought  without 
my  word/' 

As  he  spoke,  liis  eyes  quick  and  alert,  his  face  grimly 
purposeful,  there  was  about  him  that  indefinable  air 
of  authority  I  had  noticed  more  than  once.  Thus, 
with  no  better  weapons  than  his  staff  and  knife,  and 
my  sword,  bow  and  poor  arrows,  we  held  on  after 
these  five  Spanish  soldiers.  Sir  Richard  nothing 
daunted  by  this  disparity  of  power  but  rather  the  more 
determined  and  mighty  cheerful  by  his  looks,  but  my- 
self full  of  doubts  and  misgiving.  Perceiving  which, 
he  presently  stopped  to  slap  me  on  the  shoulder: 

"Martin,"  said  he,  "if  things  go  as  I  think,  we  shall 
this  night  be  very  well  off  for  equipment  and  all  with- 
out a  blow,  which  is  good,  and  save  a  life,  which  is 
better!" 

"Aye,  but,  sir,  how  if  things  go  contrary-wise?'* 

"Why,  then,  sure  a  quick  death  is  better  than  to 
perish  miserably  by  the  way,  for  we  have  cruel  going 
before  us,  thirsty  deserts  and  barren  wilds  where  game 
is  scarce ;  better  steel  or  bullet  than  to  die  raving  with 
thirst   or   slow   starvation — how   say   ye,   lad?" 

"Lead  on!"  quoth  I  and  tightened  my  belt. 

"Ha!"  said  he,  halting  suddenly  as  arose  a  sudden 
crack  of  twigs  and  underbrush  some  distance  on  our 
front.  "They  have  turned  in  to  the  water — let  us 
sit  here  and  watch  for  their  camp  fire."  And  pres- 
ently, sure  enough,  we  saw  a  red  glow  through  the  un- 


We  Commence  Our  Journey    '253 

derbrush  ahead  that  grew  ever  brighter  as  the  shadows 
deepened ;  and  so  came  the  night. 

How  long  we  waited  thus,  our  ejes  turned  ever 
towards  this  red  fire-glow,  I  know  not,  but  at  last  I 
felt  Sir  Richard  touch  me  and  heard  his  voice  in  mj 
ear: 

"Let  us  advance  until  we  have  'em  in  better  view!" 
Forthwith  we  stole  forward.  Sir  Richard^s  grasp  on 
Pluto's  collar  and  hushing  him  to  silence,  until  we  were 
nigh  enough  to  catch  the  sound  of  their  voices  very 
loud  and  distinct.  Here  we  paused  again  and  so 
passed  another  period  of  patient  waiting  wherein  we 
heard  them  begin  to  grow  merry,  to  judge  by  their 
laughter  and  singing,  a  lewd  clamour  very  strange  and 
out  of  place  in  these  wild  solitudes,  under  cover  of 
which  uproar  we  crept  upon  them  nearer  and  nearer 
until  we  might  see  them  sprawled  about  the  fire,  their 
muskets  piled  against  a  tree,  their  miserable  captive 
lashed  fast  to  another  and  drooping  in  his  bonds  like 
one  sleeping  or  a-swoon.  So  lay  we  watching  and  wait- 
ing while  their  carouse  waxed  to  a  riot  and  waned  anon 
to  sleepy  talk  and  drowsy  murmurs  and  at  last  to  a 
lusty  snoring.  And  after  some  wait,  Sir  Richard's 
hand  ever  upon  Pluto's  collar,  we  crept  forward  again 
until  we  were  drawn  close  upon  that  tree  where  stood 
the  muskets.  Then  up  rose  Sir  Richard,  letting  slip 
the  dog  and  we  were  upon  them,  all  three  of  us,  our 
roars  and  shouts  mingled  with  the  fierce  raving  of  the 
great  hound.  At  the  which  hellish  clamour,  these  poor 
rogues  waked  in  sudden  panic  to  behold  the  dog  snap- 
ping and  snarling  about  them  and  ourselves  covering 
them  with  their  own  weapons,  and  never  a  thought 
among  them  but  to  supplicate  our  mercy ;  the  which 
they  did  forthwith  upon  their  knees  and  with  upraised 
hands.  Hereupon  Sir  Richard,  scowling  mighty  fierce, 
bid  such  of  them  as  loved  life  to  be  gone,  whereat  in 
the  utmost  haste  and  as  one  man,  up  started  they  all 


254    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

five  and  took  themselves  off  with  such  impetuous  celer- 
ity that  we  stood  alone  and  masters  of  all  their  gear 
in  less  time  than  it  taketh  me  to  write  down. 

"Well,  Martin,"  said  Sir  Richard,  grim-smiling, 
"  'twas  none  so  desperate  a  business  after  all !  Come 
now,  let  us  minister  to  this  poor  prisoner." 

We  found  him  in  sorry  plight  and  having  freed  him 
of  his  bonds  I  fetched  water  from  the  brook  near  by 
and  together  we  did  what  we  might  to  his  comfort, 
all  of  the  which  he  suffered  and  never  a  word:  whicli 
done,  we  supped  heartily  all  three  on  the  spoil  we  had 
taken.  Only  once  did  the  Indian  speak,  and  in  broken 
Spanish,  to  know  who  we  were. 

"Content  you,  we  are  no  Spaniards!"  answered  Sii 
Richard,  setting  a  cloak  about  him  as  he  lay. 

"Truly  this  do  I  see,  my  father !"  he  murmured,  and 
so  fell  asleep,  the  which  so  excellent  example  I  bade 
Sir  Richard  follow  and  this  after  some  demur,  he 
agreed  to  (though  first  he  must  needs  help  me  collect 
sticks  for  the  fire),  then  commanding  me  wake  him 
in  two  hours  without  fail,  he  rolled  himself  in  one  of 
the  cloaks  and  very  presently  fell  soundly  asleep  like 
the  hardy  old  campaigner  he  was. 

And  now,  the  fire  blazing  cheerily,  Pluto  outstretched 
beside  me,  one  bright  eye  opening  ever  and  anon,  and 
a  pistol  in  my  belt,  I  took  careful  stock  of  our  new- 
come-by  possessions  and  found  them  to  comprise  the 
following,  viz: 

3  muskets  with  powder  and  shot  a-plenty. 

2  brace  of  pistols. 

3  swords,  with  belts,  hangers,  etc. 

3  steel  backs  and  breasts. 

4  morions. 

1  beaver  hat  excellent  wide  in  the  brim,  should  do  for  Sir 
Richard;  he  suffering  much  by  the  sun  despite  the  hat  of  leaves 
I  had  made  him. 

1  axe  heavy  and  something  blunted. 

2  excellent  knives, 

2  wine  skins,  both  empty- 


We  Commence  Our  Journey    255 

3  flasks,  the  same.  „     ,  ,_       ,     - 

Good  store  of  meat  with  cakes  of  very  exceUent  bread  of  cas- 
sava. 

1  horse  with  furniture  for  same. 

5  cloaks,  something  worn. 

3  pair  of  boots,  very  serviceable. 

1  tinder  box. 

1  coat. 

One  brass  compass  in  the  pocket  of  same  and  of 
more  value  to  us,  I  thought,  than  all  the  rest,  the  which 
pleased  me  mightily;  so  that  for  a  long  time  I  sat 
moving  it  to  and  fro  to  watch  the  swing  of  the  needle 
and  so  at  last,  what  with  the  crackle  of  the  fire  and 
the  brooding  stillness  beyond  and  around  us,  I  pres- 
ently fell  a-nodding  and  in  a  little  (faithless  sentinel 
that  I  was)  to  heavy  slumber. 


CHAPTER  XXVin 

We  Fall  in  With  One  Atlamatzin,  an  Indian  Cnmif 

I  WAKED  to  a  scream,  a  fierce  trampling,  an  awful 
snarling,  this  drowned  in  the  roar  of  a  gun,  and  started 
up  to  see  a  glitter  of  darting  steel  that  Sir  Richard 
sought  to  parry  with  his  smoking  weapon.  Then  I 
was  up,  and,  sword  in  hand,  leapt  towards  his  assail- 
ant, a  tall,  bearded  man  whose  corselet  flashed  red  in 
the  fire-glow  and  who  turned  to  meet  my  onset,  shout- 
ing fiercely.  And  so  we  fell  to  it  point  and  point; 
pushing  desperately  at  each  other  in  the  half-light  and 
raving  pandemonium  about  us  until  more  by  good 
fortune  than  skill  I  ran  him  in  the  arm  and  shoulder, 
whereupon,  gasping  out  hoarse  maledictions,  he  incon- 
tinent made  off  into  the  dark.  Then  turned  I  to  find 
myself  alone;  even  the  Indian  had  vanished,  though 
from  the  darkness  near  at  hand  was  a  sound  of  fierce 
strife  and  a  ringing  shot.  Catching  up  a  musket  I 
turned  thitherward,  but  scarce  had  I  gone  a  step  than 
into  the  light  of  the  fire  limped  Sir  Richard  and  Pluto 
beside  him,  who  licked  and  licked  at  his  great  muzzle 
as  he  came. 

"Oh,  Martin!''  gasped  Sir  Richard,  leaning  on  his 
musket   and   bowing  his   head,   "oh,   Martin — but   for 

Pluto  here '^     And  now,  as  he  paused,  I  saw  the 

dog's  fangs  and  tongue  horribly  discoloured. 

"  'Tis  all  my  fault  1"  said  I  bitterly.  "I  fell  asleep 
at  my  post !" 

"Aye !"  he  groaned,  "whereby  are  two  men  dead  and 
one  by  my  hand,  God  forgive  me !" 

"Nay,  but  these  were  enemies  bent  on  our  murder!" 


We  Fall  in  With  One  Atlamatzin  257 

"Had  they  seen  you  wakeful  and  vigilant  they  had 
never  dared  attack  us.  As  it  is,  I  have  another  life 
on  my  conscience  and  I  am  an  old  man  and  soul-weary 
of  strife  and  bloodshed,  yet  this  it  seems  is  my  des- 
tiny !    And  moreover,  the  horse  is  gone !" 

So  saying  he  sat  him  down  by  the  fire  exceedini; 
dejected,  and  when  I  would  have  comforted  him  I  found 
no  word.  Suddenly  I  heard  Pluto  growl  in  his  throat, 
saw  the  hair  on  neck  and  shoulders  bristle,  and  looking 
where  he  looked,  cocked  my  musket  and  raised  it  to  my 
shoulder,  then  lowered  it,  as,  with  no  sound  of  foot- 
step, the  Indian  stepped  into  the  firelight.  In  one  hand 
he  grasped  the  axe  and  as  he  came  nearer  I  saw  axe 
and  hand  and  arm  dripped  red.  At  Sir  Richard's  word 
and  gesture  Pluto  cowered  down  and  suffered  the  In- 
dian to  approach,  a  tall,  stately  figure,  who,  coming 
close  beside  the  fire,  held  out  to  us  his  left  hand  open 
and  upon  the  palm  three  human  ears,  the  which  he  let 
fall  to  stamp  upon  with  his  moccasined  foot. 

"Dead,  my  brothers !"  said  he  in  his  broken  Spanish 
and  holding  up  three  fingers.  "So  be  all  enemies  of 
Atlamatzin  and  his  good  friends."  Saying  which  he 
stooped  to  cleanse  himself  and  the  axe  in  the  stream 
and  with  the  same  grave  serenity  he  came  back  to  the 
fire  and  stretching  himself  thereby,  composed  himself 
to  slumber. 

But  as  for  Sir  Richard  and  myself  no  thought  had 
we  of  sleep  but  sat  there  very  silent  for  the  most  part, 
staring  into  the  fire  until  it  paled  to  the  day  and  the 
woods  around  us  shrilled  and  echoed  to  the  chatter 
and  cries,  the  piping  and  sweet  carol  of  new-waked 
birds. 

Then,  having  broken  our  fast,  we  prepared  to  set 
out  in  the  early  freshness  of  the  morning,  when  to  us 
came  the  Indian  Atlamatzin  and  taking  my  hand, 
touched  it  to  his  breast  and  forehead  and  having  done 
as  much  by  Sir  Richard,  crossed  his  arms,  and  looking 


258    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

from  one  to  other  of  us,  spake  in  his  halting  Spanish 
as  much  as  to  say,  "My  father  and  brother,  whither 
go  ye?"  At  this  Sir  Richard,  who  it  seemed  knew 
something  of  the  Indian  tongue,  gave  him  to  under- 
stand we  went  eastwards  towards  the  Gulf.  Where- 
upon the  Indian  bowed  gravely,  answering: 

"Ye  be  lonely,  even  as  I,  and  thitherw^ard  go  I  many 
moons  to  what  little  of  good,  war  and  evil  have  left  to 
me.  Therefore  will  I  company  with  ye  an  ye  would 
have  me."  To  the  which  we  presently  agreeing,  he 
forthwith  took  his  share  of  our  burden,  and  with  the 
axe  at  his  side  and  our  spare  musket  on  his  shoulder, 
went  on  before,  threading  his  way  by  brake  and  thicket 
with  such  sureness  of  direction  that  we  were  soon  out 
upon  the  open  thoroughfare. 

And  now  seeing  how  stoutly  Sir  Richard  stepped  out 
(despite  the  gear  he  bore  as  gun,  powder  horn,  water 
bottle,  etc.)  what  with  the  sweet  freshness  here  among 
the  trees  and  seeing  us  so  well  provided  against  cir- 
cumstances, I  came  nigh  singing  for  pure  lightness  of 
heart.  But  scarce  had  we  gone  a  mile  than  my  gaiety 
was  damped  and  in  this  fashion. 

"Here  is  a  land  of  death,  Martin — see  yonder!" 
said  Sir  Richard  and  pointed  to  divers  great  birds  that 
flapped  up  heavily  from  the  way  before  us.  Coming 
nearer,  I  saw  others  of  the  breed  that  quarrelled  and 
fought  and  screamed  and,  upon  our  nearer  approach, 
hopped  along  in  a  kind  of  torpor  ere  they  rose  on  lazy 
wings  and  flew  away ;  and  coming  nearer  yet  I  saw  the 
wherefore  of  their  gathering  and  Sir  Richard's  words 
and  grew  sick  within  me.  It  was  an  Indian  woman  who 
lay  where  she  had  fallen,  a  dead  babe  clasped  to  dead 
bosom  with  one  arm,  the  other  shorn  off  at  the  elbow. 
"A  Spanish  sword-stroke,  Martin!"  said  Sir  Rich- 
ard, pointing  to  this.  "God  pity  this  poor  outraged 
people!"  And  with  this  prayer  we  left  these  poor 
remains,  and  hasting  away,  heard  again  the  heavy  beat 


We  Fall  in  With  One  Atlamatzin  259 

of  wings  and  the  carrion  cry  of  these  monstrous  birds. 
And  now  I  bethought  me  that  the  Indian,  striding 
before  us,  had  never  so  much  as  turned  and  scarce 
deigned  a  glance  at  this  pitiful  sight,  as  I  noted  to 
Sir  Richard. 

"And  yet,  Martin,  he  brought  in  three  Spanish  ears 
last  night !  Moreover,  he  is  an  Indian  and  one  of  the 
Maya  tribe  that  at  one  time  were  a  noble  people  and 
notable  good  fighters,  but  now  slaves,  alas,  all  save  a 
sorry  few  that  do  live  out  of  the  white  man's  reach 
'mid  the  ruin  of  noble  cities  high  up  in  the  Cordilleras 
— sir  transit  gloria  mundi,  alas !" 

For  three  days  we  tramped  this  highway  in  the  wake 
of  the  Spanish  treasure-convoy  and  came  on  the 
remains  of  many  of  these  miserable  slaves  who,  over- 
come with  fatigue,  had  fallen  in  their  chains  and  being 
cut  free,  had  been  left  thus  to  perish  miserably. 

On  this,  the  fourth  day,  we  turned  off  from  this 
forest  road  (the  which  began  to  trend  southerly);  we 
struck  off,  I  say,  following  our  Indian,  into  a  narrow 
track  bearing  east  and  by  north  wliich  heartened  me 
much  since,  according  to  Adam's  chart,  this  should 
bring  us  directly  towards  that  spot  he  had  marked  as 
our  rendezvous.  And  as  we  advanced,  the  country 
changed,  the  woods  thinned  away  to  a  rolling  hill- 
country,  and  this  to  rocky  ways  that  grew  ever  steeper 
and  more  difficult,  and  though  we  had  no  lack  of  water, 
we  suffered  much  by  reason  of  the  heat.  And  now  on 
our  right  we  beheld  great  mountains  towering  high 
above  us,  peak  on  peak,  soaring  aloft  to  the  cloudless 
heaven  where  blazed  a  pitiless  sun.  Indeed,  so  unen- 
durable was  this  heat  that  we  would  lie  panting  in 
some  shade  until  the  day  languished  and  instead  of 
glaring  sun  was  radiant  moon  to  light  us  on  our  pil- 
grimage. And  here  we  were  often  beset  by  dreadful 
tempests  where  mighty  winds  shouted  and  thunder 
cracked  and  roared  most  awful  to  be  heard  among  these 


26o    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

solitary  mountains.     So  we  skirted  these  great  moun 
tains,   by    frowning    precipice    and    dark    defile,    past 
foaming    cataracts    and    waters    that    roared    unseen 
below  us. 

And  very  thankful  we  were  for  such  a  guide  as  this 
Indian  Atlamatzin  who,  grave,  solemn  and  seldom- 
speaking,  was  never  at  a  loss  and  very  wise  as  to  this 
wilderness  and  all  things  in  it, — beast  and  bird,  tree 
and  herb  and  flower.  And  stoutly  did  Sir  Richard 
bear  himself  during  this  weary  time,  plodding  on  hour 
after  hour  until  for  very  shame  I  would  call  a  halt, 
and  he,  albeit  ready  to  swoon  for  weariness,  would  find 
breath  to  berate  me  for  a  laggard  and  protest  him- 
self able  to  go  on,  until,  taking  him  in  my  arms,  I 
would  lay  him  in  some  sheltered  nook  and  find  him 
sound  asleep  before  ever  I  could  prepare  our  meal. 

Thus  held  we  on  until  towering  mountain  and  scowl- 
ing clifi*  sank  behind  and  we  came  into  a  gentle  country 
of  placid  streams,  grassy  tracts,  with  herb  and  tree 
and  flower  a  very  joy  to  the  eyes. 

"Martin,"  said  Sir  Richard,  as  we  sat  at  breakfast 
beside  a  crystal  pool,  "Martin,"  said  he,  pulling  at 
Pluto's  nearest  ear  with  sunburned  fingers,  "I  do  begin 
to  think  that  all  these  days  I  have  been  harbouring  a 
shadow." 

"How  so,  sir?" 

"It  hath  seemed  to  me  from  the  first  that  I  should 

leave  this  poor  body  here  in  Darien " 

"God  forbid !"  quoth  I  fervently. 
"  'Twould  be  but  my  body,  Martin ;  my  soul  would 
go  along  with  you,  dear  lad;  aye,  'twould  be  close  by 
to  comfort  and  aid  and  bring  you  safe  to — her — my 
sweet  Joan — and  mayhap — with  you  twain — to  Eng- 
land." 

"Nay,  dear  sir,  I  had  liefer  you  bear  your  body  along 
with  it.  Thank  God,  you  do  grow  more  hearty  every 
day.    And  the  ague  scarce  troubles  you ^* 


We  Fall  in  With  One  Atlamatzin  261 

"Truly,  God  hath  been  very  kind.  I  am  thrice  the 
man  I  was,  though  I  limp  wofully,  which  grieves  me 
since  it  shortens  the  day's  journey,  lad.  We  have  been 
already  these  many  days  and  yet,  as  I  compute,  we 
have  fully  eighty  miles  yet  to  go.  Alas,  dear  lad,  how 
my  crawling  must  fret  you." 

"Sir  Richard,"  said  I,  clapping  my  hand  on  his,  "no 
man  could  have  endured  more  courageously  nor  with 
stouter  heart  than  you — no,  not  even  Adam  Penfeather 
himself,  so  grieve  not  for  your  lameness.  Adam  will 
wait  us,  of  this  I  am  assured." 

"What  manner  of  man  is  this  Adam  of  yours, 
Martin.?" 

"He  is  himself,  sir,  and  none  other  like  him :  a  little, 
great  man,  a  man  of  cunning  plots  and  contrivances, 
very  bold  and  determined  and  crafty  beyond  words. 
He  is  moreover  a  notable  good  seaman  and  commander, 
quick  of  hand  and  eye.  Dangers  and  difficulty  are  but 
a  whetstone  to  set  a  keener  edge  to  his  abilities.  He 
was  once  a  chief  of  buccaneers  and  is  now  a  baronet 
of  England  and  justice  of  the  peace,  aye,  and  I  think 
a  member  of  His  Majesty's  Parliament  beside." 

"Lord,  Martin,  you  do  paint  me  a  very  Proteus; 
fain  would  I  meet  such  a  man." 

"Why,  so  you  shall,  sir,  and  judge  for  yourself." 

Here  Sir  Richard  sighed  and  turned  to  gaze  where 
Atlamatzin  was  busied  upon  a  small  fire  he  had  lighted 
some  distance  away.  Now,  as  to  this  Indian,  if  I  have 
not  been  particular  in  his  description  hitherto,  it  is 
because  I  know  not  how  to  do  so,  seeing  he  was  (to  my 
mind)  rather  as  one  of  another  world,  a  sombre  figure 
proud  and  solitary  and  mostly  beyond  my  ken,  though 
I  came  to  know  him  something  better  towards  the  end 
and  but  for  him  should  have  perished  miserably.  Thus 
then,  I  will  try  to  show  him  to  you  in  as  few  words 
as  I  may. 

Neither  young  nor  old,  tall  and  slender  yet  of  incred- 


262    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

ible  strength ;  his  features  pleasing  and  no  darker  than 
my  own  sunburned  skin,  his  voice  soft  and  deep,  his 
bearing  proud  and  statel}^  and  of  a  most  grave  cour- 
tesy. Marvellous  quick  was  he  and  nimble  save  for  his 
tongue,  he  being  less  given  to  talk  even  than  I,  so  that 
I  have  known  us  march  by  the  hour  together  and 
never  a  word  betwixt  us.  Yet  was  he  a  notable  good 
friend,  true  and  steadfast  and  loyal,  as  you  shall 
hear. 

Just  now  (as  I  say)  he  was  busy  with  a  fire  whereon 
he  cast  an  armful  of  wet  leaves  so  that  he  had  presently 
a  thick  column  of  smoke  ascending  into  the  stilly  air; 
and  now  he  took  him  one  of  the  cloaks  and  covered  this 
smoke,  stifling  and  fanning  it  aside  so  that  it  was  no 
more  than  a  mist,  and  anon  looses  it  into  a  column 
again;  and  thus  he  checked  or  broke  his  smoky  pillar 
at  irregular  intervals,  so  that  at  last  I  needs  must  call 
to  ask  him  what  he  did. 

"Brother,"  answered  he  in  his  grave  fashion,  "I  talk 
with  my  people.  In  a  little  you  shall  see  them  answer 
me."  Hereupon  Sir  Richard  told  me  how  in  some 
parts  these  Indians  will  converse  long  distances  apart 
by  means  of  drums,  by  wliich  they  will  send  you  mes- 
sages quicker  than  any  relay  of  post  horses  may  go. 
And  presently,  sure  enough,  from  a  woody  upland  afar 
rose  an  answering  smoke  that  came  and  went  and  was 
answered  by  our  fire,  as  in  question  and  answer,  until 
at  last  Atlamatzin,  having  extinguished  his  fire,  came 
and  sat  hi|M  down  beside  us. 

"Father  and  my  brother,"  said  he,  folding  his  arms, 
"I  read  a  tale  of  blood,  fire  and  battle  at  sea  and  along 
the  coast.  White  men  slaying  white  men,  which  is  good 
— so  they  slay  enough!" 

"A  battle  at  sea.?  Do  you  mean  ships.?"  I  questioned 
uneasily. 

"And  on  land,  brother.  Spanish  soldiers  have  been 
espied   wounded   and  yet   shouting  with   singing   and 


We  Fall  in  With  One  Atlamatzin  263 

laughing.  Galleons  have  sailed  from  Porto  Bello  and 
Carthagena." 

**God  send  Adam  is  not  beset!"  said  I. 

"Amen !"  quoth  Sir  Richard.  "Nay,  never  despond, 
Martin,  for  if  he  be  the  man  jou  say  he  shall  not  easily 
be  outwitted." 

"Ah,  sir,  I  think  on  my  dear  lady." 

"And  I  also,  Martin.  But  she  is  in  the  hands  of 
God  Who  hath  cherished  her  thus  far." 

"Moreover,  oh,  father  and  my  brother,  yonder  my 
people  do  send  you  greeting  and  will  entertain  you  for 
so  long  as  you  will." 

"Wherefore  we  thank  you,  Atlamatzin,  good  friend, 
you  and  them,  but  if  fire  and  battle  are  abroad  we 
must  on  so  soon  as  we  may."  So  saying.  Sir  Richard 
got  to  his  feet  and  we  did  the  like  and,  taking  up  our 
gear,  set  off  with  what  speed  we  might. 


CHAPTER  XXIX 

Telleth  Somewhat  of  a  Strange  City 

By  midday  we  were  come  in  sight  of  this  Indian  city, 
a  place  strange  beyond  thought,  it  being  builded  in 
vast  terraces  that  rose  one  upon  another  up  the  face 
of  a  great  cliff,  and  embattled  by  divers  many  towers. 
And  the  nearer  I  came  the  more  grew  my  wonder  by 
reason  of  the  hugeness  of  this  structure,  for  these  outer 
defences  were  builded  of  wrought  stones,  but  of  such 
monstrous  bulk  and  might  as  seemed  rather  the  work 
of  sweating  Titans  than  the  labour  of  puny  man;  as 
indeed  I  told  Sir  Richard. 

"Aye,  truly,  Martin,"  said  he,  "this  is  the  abiding 
wonder!  Here  standeth  the  noble  monument  of  a  once 
great  and  mighty  people." 

In  a  little  Atlamatzin  brought  us  to  a  stair  or  cause- 
way that  mounted  up  from  terrace  to  terrace,  and 
behold,  this  stair  was  lined  with  warriors  grasping 
shield  and  lance,  and  brave  in  feathered  cloaks  and 
headdresses  and  betwixt  their  ordered  ranks  one 
advancing, — an  old  man  of  a  reverend  bearing,  clad 
in  a  black  robe  and  on  whose  bosom  shone  and  glittered 
a  golden  emblem  that  I  took  for  the  sun.  Upon  the 
lowest  platform  he  halted  and  lifted  up  his  hands  as 
in  greeting,  whereon  up  went  painted  shield  and  glitter- 
ing spear  and  from  the  stalwart  warriors  rose  a  lusty 
shout,  a  word  thrice  repeated. 

And  now,  to  my  wonder,  forth  stepped  Atlamatzin, 
a  proud  and  stately  figure  for  all  his  rags,  and  lifting 
one  hand  aloft,  spake  to  them  in  voice  very  loud  and 


Telleth  of  a  Strange  City       265 

clear,  pointing  to  us  from  time  to  time.  When  he  had 
done  they  shouted  amain  and,  descendiner  from  the 
platform,  the  priest  (as  he  proved  to  be)  knelt  before 
Atlamatzin  to  touch  his  heart  and  brow.  And  now 
came  divers  Indians  bearing  litters,  the  which,  at 
Atlamatzin's  word.  Sir  Richard  and  I  entered  and  so, 
Pluto  trotting  beside  us,  were  borne  up  from  terrace 
to  terrace  unto  the  town.  And  I  saw  this  had  once 
been  a  goodly  city  though  its  glory  was  departed,  its 
noble  buildings  decayed  or  ruinated  and  cheek  by 
jowl  with  primitive  dwellings  of  clay.  And  these 
greater  houses  were  of  a  noble  simplicity,  flat-roofed 
and  builded  of  a  red,  porous  stone,  in  some  cases  coated 
with  white  cement,  whiles  here  and  there,  towering  high 
among  these,  rose  huge  structures  that  I  took  for  pal- 
aces or  temples,  yet  one  and  all  timewom  and  crumbling 
to  decay.  Before  one  of  such,  standing  in  a  goodly 
square,  we  alighted  and  here  found  a  crowd  of  people 
— men,  women  and  children— who  stood  to  behold  us: 
a  mild,  well-featured  people,  orderly  and  of  a  courteous 
bearing,  yet  who  stared  and  pointed,  chattering,  at 
sight  of  the  dog.  And  if  this  were  all  of  them,  a  pitiful 
few  I  thought  them  in  contrast  to  this  great  square, 
whence  opened  divers  wide  thoroughfares,  and  this 
mighty  building  that  soared  above  us,  its  great  walls 
most  wonderful  to  sight  by  reason  of  all  manner  of 
decorations  and  carvings  wrought  into  the  semblance 
of  writhing  serpents  cunningly  intertwined. 

Betwixt  a  kind  of  gatehouse  to  right  and  left  we 
entered  an  enclosure  where  stood  the  temple  itself, 
reared  upon  terraces.  Here  Atlamatzin  giving  us  to 
know  we  must  leave  the  dog.  Sir  Richard  tied  him  up, 
whereon  Pluto,  seeing  us  leave  him,  howled  in  remon- 
strance, but,  obedient  to  Sir  Richard's  word,  cowered 
to  silence,  yet  mighty  dismal  to  behold.  And  now, 
Atlamatzin  and  the  High  Priest  leading  the  way,  we 
jbegan    to    climb    numberless    steps,    and    though    Sir 


266   Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

Richard  found  this  no  small  labour  despite  my  aid, 
at  last  we  stood  before  the  massy  portal  of  the  temple 
that  seemed  to  scowl  upon  us.  And  from  the  dim 
interior  rose  a  sound  of  voices  chanting,  drowned  all 
at  once  in  the  roll  of  drums  and  blare  of  trumpets  as 
Atlamatzin  and  the  Priest  entered,  signing  on  us  to 
follow. 

"Have  your  weapons  ready,  Martin!"  gasped  Sir 
Richard.  "For  I  have  heard  evil  tales  of  blood  and 
sacrifice  in  such  places  as  this!" 

And  thus  side  by  side  we  stepped  into  the  cool  dim- 
ness of  this  strange  building.  Once  my  eyes  were 
accustomed  to  the  gloom,  I  stood  amazed  by  the  vast 
extent  of  this  mighty  building  and  awed  by  the  wonder 
of  it.  Midway  burned  a  dim  fire  whose  small  flame 
flickered  palely;  all  round  us,  huge  and  mountainous, 
rose  the  shapes  of  strange  deities  wonderfully  wrought ; 
round  about  the  altar  fire  were  grouped  many  black- 
robed  priests  and  hard  by  this  fire  stood  a  thing  that 
brought  back  memory  of  Adam  Penfeather  his  words 
— of  how  he  had  fought  for  his  life  on  the  death-stone ; 
and  now,  beholding  this  grim  thing,  I  shifted  round 
my  sword  and  felt  if  my  pistols  were  to  hand.  And 
now  rose  Atlamatzin's  voice,  rumbling  in  the  dimness 
high  overhead,  and  coming  to  us,  he  took  us  each  by 
the  hand  and,  leading  us  forward,  spake  awhile  to  the 
motionless  priests,  who,  when  he  had  done,  came  about 
us  with  hands  uplifted  in  greeting.  And  now 
Atlamatzin    spake  us  on  this  wise: 

"Father  and  my  brother,  well  do  I  know  ye  have 
clean  hearts  despite  your  pale  skins,  so  do  I  make  ye 
welcome  and  free  of  this  city  that  once  was  overruled 
by  my  forefathers.  And  because  ye  are  white  men, 
loving  all  such  foolish  things  as  all  white  men  do  love, 
follow  me !" 

Saying  which,  he  brought  us  before  one  of  those 
great  idols  that  glared  down  on  us.     I  saw  him  lift 


Telleth  of  a  Strange  City       267 

one  hand,  then  started  back  from  the  square  of  dark- 
ness that  yawned  suddenly  as  to  engulf  us.  Taking 
a  torch,  Atlamatzin  led  us  down  steps  and  along  a 
broad  passage  beneath  the  temple  and  so  into  a  vasty 
chamber  where  lay  that  which  gave  back  the  light  he 
bore;  everywhere  about  us  was  the  sheen  of  gold.  In 
ordered  piles,  in  great  heaps,  in  scattered  pieces  it  lay, 
wrought  into  a  thousand  fantastic  shapes,  as  idols, 
serpents,  basins,  pots  and  the  like, — a  treasure  beyond 
the  telling. 

"Behold  the  white  man's  God,  the  cause  of  my 
people's  woes,  the  ruin  of  our  cities,  of  blood  and 
battle!" 

And  here  he  gives  us  to  understand  this  wealth  was 
ours  if  we  would;  all  or  such  of  it  as  we  might  bear 
away  with  us.  Whereupon  I  shook  my  head  and  Sir 
Richard  told  him  that  of  more  use  to  him  than  all  this 
treasure  would  be  pen,  inkhorn  and  paper,  and  a 
compass.  Nothing  speaking,  Atlamatzin  turned,  and 
by  a  very  maze  of  winding  passageways  brought  us  up 
the  steps  and  so  to  a  great  and  lofty  chamber  or  hall 
where  lay  a  vast  medley  of  things:  arms  and  armour, 
horse  furniture  and  Spanish  gear  of  every  sort,  and  in 
one  comer  a  small  brass  cannon,  mounted  on  wheels. 
Amongst  all  of  which  Sir  Richard  began  searching 
and  had  his  patience  rewarded,  for  presently  he  came 
on  that  he  desired;  viz:  a  travelling  writing  case  with 
pens,  paper,  and  a  sealed  bottle  of  ink,  though  why  he 
should  want  such  was  beyond  me,  as  I  told  him,  whereat 
he  did  but  smile,  nothing  speaking. 

So  back  we  came  and  unloosed  our  dog  (and  he 
mighty  rejoiced  to  see  us)  whereafter,  by  Atlamatzin's 
command,  we  were  lodged  in  a  chamber  very  sumptuous 
and  with  servants  observant  to  our  every  want;  for 
our  meals  were  dishes  a-plenty,  savoury  and  excellent 
well  cooked  and  seasoned,  and  for  our  drink  was  milk, 
or  water  cunningly  flavoured  with  fruits,  as  good  as 


268    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

any  wine,  to  my  thinking.  And  cups  and  platters,  nay, 
the  very  pots,  were  all  of  pure  gold. 

This  night,  having  bathed  me  in  a  small  bathhouse 
adjacent  and  very  luxurious,  I  get  me  to  bed  early 
(which  was  no  more  than  a  mat)  but  Sir  Richard, 
seated  upon  the  floor  hard  by  (for  of  chairs  there  were 
none).  Sir  Richard,  I  say,  must  needs  fall  to  with  pen 
and  ink,  the  great  hound  drowsing  beside  him,  so  that, 
lulled  by  the  soft  scratching  of  his  busy  quill,  I  pres- 
ently slumbered  also. 

Next  morning  I  awoke  late  to  find  Sir  Richard 
squatted  where  he  had  sat  last  night,  but  this  time, 
instead  of  writing  case,  across  his  knees  lay  a  musket, 
and  he  was  busied  in  setting  a  flint  to  the  lock. 

"Why,  sir — what  now?"  I  questioned. 

"A  musket,  lad,  and  fifty-and-five  others  in  the  cor- 
ner yonder  and  all  serviceable,  which  is  well." 

Now  as  I  stared  at  him,  his  bowed  figure  and  long 
white  hair,  there  was  about  him  (despite  his  benevolent 
expression)  a  certain  grim,  fighting  look  that  set  me 
wondering;  moreover,  upon  the  air  I  heard  a  stir  that 
seemed  all  about  us,  a  faint  yet  ominous  clamour. 

"Sir,"  quoth  I,  getting  to  my  feet,  "what's  to  do?" 

"Battle,  Martin!"  said  he,  testing  the  musket's 
action. 

"Ha!"  cried  I,  catching  up  my  sword.  "Are  we 
beset?" 

"By  an  army  of  Spaniards  and  hostile  Indians, 
Martin.  In  the  night  came  Atlamatzin  to  say  news 
had  come  of  Indians  from  the  West,  ancient  enemies  of 
this  people,  led  on  by  Spanish  soldiers,  cavalry  and 
arquebuseros,  and  bidding  us  fly  and  save  ourselves 
before  the  battle  joined.  But  you  were  asleep,  Martin, 
and  besides,  it  seemed  ill  in  us,  that  had  eaten  their 
bread,  to  fly  and  leave  this  poor  folk  to  death — and 
worse " 

"True  enough,  sir,"  said  I,  buckling  my  weapons 


Telleth  of  a  Strange  City       269 

about  me,  "but  do  you  dream  that  we,  you  and  I,  can 
hinder  such?" 

"  'Twere  at  least  commendable  in  us  to  so  endeavour, 
Martin.  Nor  is  it  thing  so  impossible,  having  regard 
to  these  fifty-and-five  muskets  and  the  brass  cannon, 
seeing  there  is  powder  and  shot  abundant." 

"How  then — must  we  stay  and  fight?"  I  demanded. 
And  beholding  the  grim  set  of  his  mouth  and  chin,  at 
such  odds  with  his  white  hair  and  gentle  eyes,  I  knew 
that  it  must  be  so  indeed. 

"  'Twas  so  I  thought,  Martin,"  said  he  a  little 
humbly,  and  laying  his  hands  upon  my  shoulders,  "but 
only  for  myself,  dear  lad,  I  fight  better  than  I  walk, 
so  will  I  stay  and  make  this  my  cumbersome  body  of 
some  little  use,  perchance;  but  as  for  thee,  dear  and 

loved  lad,  I  would  have  you  haste  on " 

"Enough,  sir,"  quoth  I,  catching  his  hands  in  mine, 
"if  you  must  stay  to  fight,  so  do  I." 

"Tush,  Martin!"  said  he,  mighty  earnest.  "Be 
reasonable!  Atlamatzin  hath  vowed,  supposing  we 
beat  off  our  assailants,  to  provide  me  bearers  and  a 
litter,  so  shall  I  travel  at  mine  ease  and  over- 
take you  very  soon ;  wherefore,  I  bid  j^ou  go — for  her 
sake!" 

But  finding  me  no  whit  moved  by  this  or  any  other 
reason  he  could  invent,  he  alternate  frowned  and  sighed, 
and  thereafter,  slipping  his  arm  in  mine,  brought  me 
forth  to  show  me  such  dispositions  as  he  had  caused 
to  be  made  for  the  defence.  Thus  came  we  out  upon 
the  highest  terrace,  Pluto  at  our  heels,  and  found  divers 
of  the  Indians  labouring  amain  to  fill  and  set  up  baskets 
of  loose  earth  after  the  manner  of  fascines,  and  showed 
me  where  he  had  caused  them  to  plant  our  cannon 
where  it  might  sweep  that  stair  I  have  mentioned,  and 
well  screened  from  the  enemy's  observation  and  shel- 
tered from  his  fire.  And  hard  beside  the  gun  stood 
barrels   of   musket   balls,   and   round-shot   piled  very 


270    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

orderly,  and  beyond  these,  powder  a-plenty  in  covered 
kegs. 

And  now  he  showed  me  pieces  of  armour,  that  is,  a 
vizored  headpiece  or  armet,  with  cuirass,  backplates, 
pauldrons  and  vambraces,  all  very  richly  gilded,  the 
which  it  seemed  he  had  chosen  for  my  defence. 

"So,  then,  sir,  you  knew  I  should  stay?" 

"Indeed,  Martin,"  he  confessed,  a  little  discounte- 
nanced, "I  guessed  you  might."  But  I  (misliking  to 
be  so  confined)  would  have  none  of  this  gilded  armour 
until,  seeing  his  distress,  I  agreed  thereto  if  he  would 
do  the  like;  so  we  presently  armed  each  other  and  I 
for  one  mighty  hot  and  uncomfortable. 

Posted  upon  this,  the  highest  terrace,  at  every  van- 
tage point  were  Indians  armed  with  bows  and  arrows 
— ^men  and  women,  aye  and  children — and  all  gazing 
ever  and  anon  towards  that  belt  of  forest  to  the  West 
where  it  seemed  Atlamatzin,  with  ten  chosen  warriors, 
was  gone  to  watch  the  approach  of  the  invading  host. 
Presently,  from  these  greeny  depths  came  a  distant 
shot  followed  by  others  in  rapid  succession,  and  after 
some  while,  forth  of  the  woods  broke  six  figures  that 
we  knew  for  Atlamatzin  and  five  of  the  ten,  at  sight 
of  whom  spear-points  glittered  and  a  lusty  shout 
went  up. 

"See  now,  Martin,"  quoth  Sir  Richard,  speaking 
quick  and  incisive,  a  grim  and  warlike  figure  in  his 
armour,  for  all  his  stoop  and  limping  gait,  "here's  the 
way  on't:  let  the  Indians  shoot  their  arrows  as  they 
may  (poor  souls!)  but  we  wait  until  the  enemy  be 
a-throng  upon  the  stair  yonder,  then  we  open  on  them 
with  our  cannon  here, — 'tis  crammed  to  the  muzzle 
with  musket  balls;  then  whiles  you  reload,  I  will  to 
my  fifty-and-five  muskets  yonder  and  let  fly  one  after 
t'other,  by  which  time  you,  having  our  brass  piece 
ready,  will  reload  so  many  o'  the  muskets  as  you  may 
and  so,  God  aiding,  we  will  so  batter  these  merciless 


Telleth  of  a  Strange  City       271 

Dons  they  shall  be  glad  to  give  over  their  bloody 
attempt  and  leave  these  poor  folk  in  peace." 

As  he  ended,  came  Atlamatzin,  telling  us  he  had 
fallen  suddenly  on  the  enemy's  van  and  slain  divers  of 
them,  showing  us  his  axe  bloody,  and  so  away  to  hearten 
his  people. 

At  last,  forth  of  the  forest  marched  the  enemy,  rank 
on  rank,  a  seemingly  prodigious  company.  First  rode 
horsemen  a  score,  and  behind  these  I  counted  some 
sixty  musketeers  and  pikemen  as  many,  marching  very 
orderly  and  flashing  back  the  sun  from  their  armour, 
while  behind  these  again  came  plumed  Indians  beyond 
count,  fierce,  wild  figures  that  leapt  and  shouted  high 
and  shrill  very  dreadful  to  hear.  On  they  came,  leap- 
ing and  dancing  from  the  forest,  until  it  seemed  they 
"would  never  end,  nearer  and  nearer  until  we  might  see 
their  faces  and  thus  behold  how  these  Spaniards  talked 
and  laughed  with  each  other  as  about  a  matter  of  little 
moment.  Indeed,  it  angered  me  to  see  with  what  care- 
less assurance  these  steel-clad  Spaniards  advanced 
against  us  in  their  insolent  might,  and  bold  in  the 
thought  that  they  had  nought  to  fear  save  Indian 
arrows  and  lances  and  they  secure  in  their  armour. 
Halting  below  the  first  terrace,  they  forthwith  began 
assault,  for  whiles  divers  of  the  pikemen  began  to 
ascend  the  stairway,  followed  by  their  Indian  allies-, 
the  musketeers  let  fly  up  at  us  with  their  pieces  to 
cover  their  comrades'  advance  and  all  contemptuous  of 
the  arrows  discharged  against  them.  But  hard  beside 
the  cannon  stood  Sir  Richard,  watching  keen-eyed,  and 
ever  and  anon  blowing  on  the  slow-match  he  had  made, 
waiting  until  the  stairway  was  choked  with  the  glitter- 
ing helmets  and  tossing  feathers  of  the  assailants. 

A  deafening  roar,  a  belch  of  flame  and  smoke  that 
passing,  showed  a  sight  I  will  not  seek  to  describe; 
nor  did  I  look  twice,  but  fell  to  work  with  sponge  and 
rammer,  loading  this  death-dealing  piece  as  quickly 


272,    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

as  I  might,  while  louder  than  the  awful  wailing  that 
came  from  that  gory  shambles  rose  a  \vild  hubbub  from 
their  comrades, — shouts  and  cries  telling  their  sudden 
panic  and  consternation.  But  as  they  stood  thus  in 
huddled  amaze,  Sir  Richard  opened  on  them  with  his 
muskets,  firing  in  rapid  succession  and  with  aim  so 
deadly  that  they  forthwith  turned  and  ran  for  it,  nor 
did  they  check  or  turn  until  they  were  out  of  range. 
Then  back  limped  Sir  Richard,  his  cheek  flushed,  his 
eyes  bright  and  fierce  in  the  shade  of  his  helmet,  his 
voice  loud  and  vibrant  with  the  joy  of  battle,  and  see- 
ing how  far  the  gun  was  recoiled,  summoned  divers  of 
the  Indians  to  urge  it  back  into  position;  while  this 
was  doing,  down  upon  this  awful  stair  leapt  Atlamatzin 
and  his  fellows  and  had  «oon  made  an  end  of  such 
wounded  as  lay  there. 

"I  pray  God,"  cried  Sir  Richard,  harsh-voiced,  as 
he  struck  flint  and  steel  to  relight  his  match,  "I  pray 
God  this  may  suffice  them !" 

And  beholding  the  wild  disorder  of  our  assailants, 
I  had  great  hopes  this  was  so  indeed,  but  as  I  watched, 
they  reformed  their  ranks  and  advanced  again,  but 
with  their  Indians  in  the  van,  who  suddenly  found 
themselves  with  death  before  them  and  behind,  for  the 
Spanish  musketeers  had  turned  their  pieces  against 
them  to  force  them  on  to  the  attacks.  So,  having  no 
choice,  these  poor  wretches  came  on  again,  leaping  and 
screaming  their  battle  cries  until  the  stair  was  a-throng 
with  them;  on  and  up  they  rushed  until  Death  met 
them  in  roaring  flame  and  smoke.  But  now  all  about 
us  was  the  hum  of  bullets,  most  of  which  whined  harm- 
lessly overhead,  though  some  few  smote  the  wall  behind 
us.  But  small  chance  had  I  to  heed  such,  being  hard- 
set  to  prime  and  load  as,  time  after  time,  these  poor 
Indians,  driven  on  by  their  cruel  masters,  rushed,  and 
time  after  time  were  swept  away;  and  thus  we  fought 
the  gun  until  the  sweat  ran  from  me  and  I  panted  and 


Telleth  of  a  Strange  City       273 

cursed  my  stifling  armour,  stripping  it  from  me  piece 
by  piece  as  occasion  offered.  And  thus  I  took  a  scathe 
from  bullet  or  splinter  of  stone,  yet  heeded  not  until 
I  sank  down  sick  and  spent  and  roused  to  find  Pluto 
licking  my  face  and  thereafter  to  see  Sir  Richard  kneel- 
ing over  me,  his  goodly  armour  dinted  and  scarred  by 
more  than  one  chance  bullet. 

"Drink!"  he  commanded,  and  set  water  to  my  lips, 
the  which  mightily  refreshed  me. 

"Sir,  what  o'  the  fight?"  I  questioned. 
"Done,  lad,  so  far  as  we  are  concerned,"  said  he. 
"Atlamatzin   fell   upon   'em  with   all   his   powers   and 
routed  them— hark !" 

Sure  enough,  I  heard  the  battle  roar  away  into  the 
forest  and  beyond  until,  little  by  little,  it  sank  to  a 
murmurous  hum  and  died  utterly  away.  But  all  about 
us  were  other  sounds,  and  getting  unsteadily  to  my 
legs,  I  saw  the  plain  'twixt  town  and  forest  thick-strewn 
with  the  fallen. 

"So  then  the  town  is  saved,  sir?" 
"God  be  praised,  Martin !" 

"Why,  then,  let  us  on — to  meet  my  dear  lady!" 
But  now  came  an  Indian  to  bathe  my  hurt,  an  ugly 
tear  in  my  upper  arm,  whereto  he  set  a  certain  balsam 
and  a  dressing  of  leaves  and  so  bound  it  up  very  deftly 
and  to  my  comfort. 

And  now  was  I  seized  of  a  fierce  desire  to  be  gone; 
I  burned  in  a  fever  to  tramp  those  weary  miles  that 
lay  'twixt  me  and  my  lady  Joan;  wherefore,  heedless 
alike  of  my  own  weakness,  of  Sir  Richard's  remon- 
strances and  weariness,  or  aught  beside  in  my  own 
fevered  desire,  I  set  out  forthwith,  seeing,  as  in  a 
dream,  the  forms  of  Indians,  men,  women  and  children, 
who  knelt  and  cried  to  us  as  in  gratitude  or  farewell; 
fast  I  strode,  all  unmindful  of  the  old  man  who  plodded 
so  patiently,  limping  as  fast  as  he  might  to  keep  pace 
with  me,  heeding  but  dimly  his  appeals,  his  cries,  hast- 


274    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

ing  on  and  on  until,  stumbling  at  last,  I  sank  upon  my 
knees  and,  looking  about,  found  myself  alone  and  night 
coming  down  upon  me  apace.  Then  was  I  seized  of 
pity  for  him  and  myself  and  a  great  yearning  for  my 
lady,  and  sinking  upon  my  face  I  wept  myself  to  sleep. 


CHAPTER  XXX 

We  Resume  Our  Journey 

I  WAKED  in  a  place  of  trees,  very  still  and  quiet  save 
for  the  crackle  of  the  fire  that  blazed  near  by.  Close 
beside  me  lay  my  musket;  pendant  from  a  branch 
within  reach  dangled  my  sword.  Hereupon,  finding 
myself  thus  solitary,  I  began  to  call  on  Sir  Richard 
and  wondered  to  hear  my  voice  so  weak;  yet  I  per- 
sisted in  my  shouting  and  after  some  while  heard  a 
joyous  bark,  and  to  me  bounded  Pluto  to  rub  himself 
against  me  and  butt  at  me  with  his  great  head.  While 
I  was  caressing  this  good  friend,  cometh  Sir  Richard 
himself  and  in  his  hand  a  goodly  fish  much  like  to  a 
trout. 

"Lord,  Martin !"  said  he,  sitting  beside  me,  "  'tis 
well  art  thyself  again,  lad.  Last  evening  you  must  set 
out,  and  night  upon  us,  must  stride  away  like  a  mad- 
man and  leave  me  alone ;  but  for  this  good  dog  I  should 
ha'  lost  you  quite.  See  now,  lad,  what  I  have  caught 
for  our  breakfast.  I  was  a  notable  good  angler  in 
the  old  days  and  have  not  lost  my  cunning,  it  seems." 

Now  as  he  showed  me  his  fish  and  set  about  gutting 
and  preparing  it,  I  could  not  but  mark  his  drawn  and 
haggard  look,  despite  his  brave  bearing,  and  my  heart 
smote  me. 

"Sir,  you  are  sick !"  quoth  I. 

"Nay,  Martin,  I  am  well  enough  and  able  to  go  on 
as  soon  as  you  will.  But  for  the  present,  rest  awhile, 
lest  the  fever  take  you  again,  this  cloak  'neath  your 
head — so !" 


276    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

"What  o'clock  is  it?" 

"Scarce  noon  and  the  sun  very  hot." 

"How  came  I  here  in  the  shade  ?" 

"I  dragged  you,  Martin.  Now  sleep,  lad,  and  I'll 
to  my  cooking." 

At  this  I  protested  I  had  no  mind  for  sleep,  yet 
presently  slumbered  amain,  only  to  dream  vilely  of 
fire  and  of  Adam  and  his  fellows  in  desperate  battle, 
and  above  the  din  of  fight  heard  my  lady  calling  on 
my  name  as  one  in  mortal  extremity  and  waking  in 
sweating  panic,  my  throbbing  head  full  of  this  evil 
vision,  was  for  setting  out  instantly  to  her  succour. 
But  at  Sir  Richard's  desire  I  stayed  to  gulp  down  such 
food  as  he  had  prepared,  telling  him  meanwhile  of  my 
vision  and  something  comforted  by  his  assurance  that 
dreams  went  by  contrary.  Howbeit,  the  meal  done, 
we  set  out  once  more,  bearing  due  northeast  by  the 
compass  Sir  Richard  had  brought  from  the  Maya  city. 
So  we  journeyed  through  this  tangled  wilderness,  my 
head  full  of  strange  and  evil  fancies,  cursing  the  wound 
that  sapped  my  strength  so  that  I  must  stumble  for 
very  weakness,  yet  dreaming  ever  of  my  lady's  danger, 
struggling  up  and  on  until  I  sank  to  lie  and  curse  or 
weep  because  of  my  helplessness. 

Very  evil  times  were  these,  wherein  I  moved  in  a 
vague  world,  sometimes  aware  of  Sir  Richard's  patient, 
plodding  form,  of  the  dog  trotting  before,  of  misty 
mountains,  of  rushing  streams  that  must  be  crossed, 
of  glaring  heats  and  grateful  shadow ;  sometimes  I  lay 
dazzled  by  a  blazing  sun,  sometimes  it  was  the  fire  and 
Sir  Richard's  travel-worn  figure  beyond,  sometimes  the 
calm  serenity  of  stars,  but  ever  and  always  in  my  mind 
was  a  growing  fear,  a  soul-blasting  dread  lest  our 
journey  be  vain,  lest  the  peril  that  methought  threat- 
ened Joan  be  before  us  and  we  find  her  dead.  And 
this  cruel  thought  was  like  a  whip  that  lashed  me  to 
a  frenzy,  so  that  despite  wound  and  weakness  I  would 


We  Resume  Our  Journey       277 

drive  my  fainting  body  on,  pursuing  the  phantom  of 
her  I  sought  and  oft  calHng  miserably  upon  her  name 
like  the  madman  I  was ;  all  of  the  which  I  learned  after 
from  Sir  Richard.  For,  of  an  early  morning  I  waked 
to  find  myself  alone,  but  a  fire  of  sticks  burned  brightly 
and  against  an  adjacent  rock  stood  our  two  muskets, 
orderly  and  to  hand. 

Now  as  I  gazed  about,  I  was  aware  of  frequent  sigh- 
ings  hard  by  and  going  thitherward,  beheld  Sir  Richard 
upon  his  knees,  absorbed  in  a  passion  of  prayer,  his 
furrowed  cheeks  wet  with  tears.  But  be^^ond  this  I 
was  struck  Tv^th  the  change  in  him,  his  haggard  face 
burned  nigh  black  with  fierce  suns,  his  garments  rent 
and  tattered,  his  poor  body  more  bent  and  shrunken 
than  I  had  thought.  Before  him  sat  Pluto,  wagging 
his  tail  responsive  to  every  passionate  gesture  of  those 
reverently  clasped  hands,  but  who,  espying  me,  uttered 
his  deep  bark  and  came  leaping  to  welcome  me;  where- 
upon, seeing  I  was  discovered,  I  went  to  Sir  Richard 
and,  his  prayer  ended,  lifted  him  in  my  arms. 

"Ah,  Martin,  dear  lad,"  said  he,  embracing  me  like- 
wise, "surely  God  hath  answered  my  prayer.  You  are 
yourself  again."  And  now,  he  sitting  beside  the  fire 
whiles  I  prepared  such  food  as  we  had,  he  told  me  how 
for  five  days  I  had  been  as  one  distraught,  wandering 
haphazard  and  running  like  any  madman,  calling  upon 
my  lady's  name,  and  that  he  should  have  lost  me  but 
for  the  dog. 

"Alas,  dear  sir,"  quoth  I,  abashed  by  this  recital, 
''I  fear  in  my  fool's  madness  I  have  worn  you  out  and 
nigh  beyond  endurance." 

"Nay,  Martin,"  said  he,  "it  doth  but  teach  me  what 
I  knew,  that  lusty  youth  and  feeble  age  are  ill  travelling 
companions,  for  needs  must  you  go,  your  soul  ever 
ahead  of  you,  yet  schooling  your  pace  to  mine,  and  for 
this  I  do  love  you  so  that  I  would  I  were  dead  and  you 
free  to  speed  on  your  strength " 


278    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

**Never  say  so,  dear  father,"  quoth  I,  folding  my 
*nn  about  his  drooping  form,  "my  strength  shall  be 
yours  henceforth." 

And  presently  he  grew  eager  to  be  gone,  but  seeing 
me  unwilling,  grew  the  more  insistent  to  travel  so  far 
as  we  might  before  the  scorching  heats  should  overtake 
us.  So  we  started,  I  carrying  his  musket  beside  my 
own  and  despite  his  remonstrances. 

An  evil  country  this,  destitute  of  trees  and  all  vege- 
tation save  small  bushes  few  and  prickly  cactus  a-many, 
a  desolation  of  grim  and  jagged  rocks  and  barren, 
sandy  wastes  full  of  sun-glare  and  intolerable  heat. 
And  now,  our  water  being  gone,  we  began  to  be  plagued 
with  thirst  and  a  great  host  of  flies  so  bold  as  to  settle 
on  our  mouths,  nostrils  and  eyes,  so  that  we  must  be 
for  ever  slapping  and  brushing  them  away.  Night 
found  us  faint  and  spent  and  ravenous  for  water  and 
none  to  be  found,  and  to  add  further  to  our  agonies, 
these  accursed  flies  were  all  about  us  still,  singing  and 
humming,  and  whose  bite  set  up  a  tickling  itch,  so  that 
what  with  these  and  our  thirst  we  got  little  or  no  rest. 

"Martin,"  said  Sir  Richard,  hearing  me  groan,  "we 
should  be  scarce  four  days  from  the  sea  by  my  reck- 
oning  " 

"Aye,"  said  I,  staring  up  at  the  glory  of  stars,  "but 
how  if  we  come  on  no  water?  Our  journey  shall  end 
the  sooner,  methinks." 

"True,  Martin,"  said  he,  "but  we  are  sure  to  find 
water  soon  or  late " 

"God  send  it  be  soon!"  I  groaned.  Here  he  sets 
himself  to  comfort  Pluto  who  lay  betwixt  us,  panting 
miserably,  with  lolling  tongue  or  snapping  fiercely  at 
these  pestilent  flies. 

And  thus  we  lay  agonising  until  the  moon  rose  and 
then,  by  common  consent,  we  stumbled  on,  seeking  our 
great  desire.  And  now  as  I  went,  my  mouth  parched, 
my  tongue  thickening  to  the  roof  of  my  mouth,  I  must 


We  Resume  Our  Journey       279 

needs  think  of  plashing  brooks,  of  bubbling  rills,  of 
sweet  and  pellucid  streams,  so  that  my  torment  was 
redoubled,  yet  we  dared  not  stop,  even  when  day  came. 
Then  forth  of  a  pitiless  heaven  blazed  a  cruel  sun 
to  scorch  us,  thereby  adding  to  this  agony  of  thirst 
that  parched  us  where  we  crawled  with  fainting  steps, 
our  sunken  eyes  seeking  vainly  for  the  kindly  shade  of 
some  tree  in  this  arid  desolation.  And  always  was 
my  mind  obsessed  by  that  dream  of  gurgling  brooks 
and  bubbling  rills;  and  now  I  would  imagine  I  was 
drinking  long,  cool  draughts,  and  thrusting  leathern 
tongue  'twixt  cracking  lips,  groaned  in  sharper  agony. 
So  crept  we  on,  mile  after  mile,  hoping  the  next  would 
show  us  some  blessed  glimpse  of  water,  and  always  dis- 
appointed until  at  last  it  seemed  that  here  was  our 
miserable  end. 

"Martin,"  gasped  Sir  Richard,  sinking  in  my  failing 
clasp,  his  words  scarce  articulate,  "I  can  go  no  far- 
ther— leave  me,  sweet  son — 'tis  better  I  die  here — go 

you  on " 

"No!"  groaned  I,  and  seeing  Sir  Richard  nigh  to 
swooning,  I  took  him  in  my  arms.  Reeling  and  stag- 
gering I  bore  him  on,  my  gaze  upon  a  few  scattered 
rocks  ahead  of  us  where  we  might  at  least  find  shade 
from  this  murderous  sun.  Thus  I  struggled  on  until 
my  strength  failed  and  I  sank  to  this  burning  sand 
where  it  seemed  we  were  doomed  to  perish  after  all,  here 
in  this  pitiless  wild  where  even  the  dog  had  deserted  us. 
And  seeing  Death  so  near,  I  clasped  Sir  Richard  ever 
closer  and  strove  to  tell  him  something  of  my  love  for 
him,  whereupon  he  raised  one  feeble  hand  to  touch  my 
drooping  head. 

Now  as  I  babbled  thus,  I  heard  a  lazy  flap  of  wings 
and  lifting  weary  eyes,  beheld  divers  of  these  great  birds 
that,  settling  about,  hopped  languidly  towards  us  and 
so  stood  to  watch  us,  raffling  their  feathers  and  croak- 
ing hoarsely.     So  I  watched  them,   and  well-knowing 


28o    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

what  they  portended,  drew  forth  a  pistol  and,  cocking 
it,  had  it  ready  to  hand.  But  as  I  did  so  they  broke 
into  shrill  clamour  and,  rising  on  heavy  wings,  soared 
away  as  came  Pluto  to  leap  about  us,  uttering  joyous 
barks  and  butting  at  us  with  his  head.  And  then  I 
saw  him  all  wet,  nay,  as  I  gazed  on  him,  disbelieving 
my  eyes,  he  shook  himself,  sprinkling  us  with  blessed 
water.  Somehow  I  was  upon  my  feet  and,  taking  Sir 
Richard's  swooning  body  across  my  shoulder,  I  stum- 
bled on  towards  that  place  of  rocks,  Pluto  running  on 
before  and  turning  ever  and  anon  to  bark,  as  bidding 
me  hasten.  So  at  last,  panting  and  all  foredone,  came 
I  among  these  rocks  and  saw  them  open  to  a  narrow 
'tleft  that  gave  upon  a  gorge  a-bloom  with  flowers, 
a  very  paradise;  and  here,  close  to  hand,  a  little  pool 
fed  by  a  rill  or  spring  that  bubbled  up  amid  these 
mossy  rocks. 

So  took  I  this  life-giving  water  in  my  two  hands 
and  dashed  it  in  Sir  Richard's  face,  and  he,  opening 
his  ejeSy  uttered  a  hoarse  cry  of  rapture.  And  so  we 
drank,  kneeling  side  by  side.  Yet  our  throats  and 
tongues  so  swollen  we  could  scarce  swallow  at  the  first, 
and  yet  these  scant  drops  a  very  ecstasy.  But  when 
I  would  have  drunk  my  fill.  Sir  Richard  stayed  me  lest 
I  do  myself  an  injury  and  I,  minding  how  poor  souls 
had  killed  themselves  thus,  drank  but  moderately  as  he 
bade  me,  yet  together  we  plunged  our  heads  and  arms 
into  this  watery  dehght,  praising  God  and  laughing 
for  pure  joy  and  thankfulness.  Then,  the  rage  of  our 
thirst  something  appeased,  we  lay  down  within  this 
shadow  side  by  side  and  presently  fell  into  a  most 
blessed  slumber. 

I  waked  suddenly  to  a  piteous  whining  and,  starting 
up,  beheld  Pluto  crawling  towards  me,  his  flank  trans- 
fixed with  an  Indian  arrow.  Up  I  sprang  to  wake  Sir 
Richard  and  peer  down  into  the  shadowy  gorge  below, 
but  saw  no  more  than  flowering  thickets  and  bush-girt 


We  Resume  Our  Journey       281 

rock.  But  as  I  gazed  thus,  musket  in  hand,  Sir  Rich- 
ard gave  fire  and  while  the  report  yet  rang  and  echoed, 
I  saw  an  Indian  spring  up  from  amid  these  bushes  and 
go  rolling  down  into  the  thickets  below. 

"One,  Martin !"  quoth  Sir  Richard  and,  giving  me 
his  piece  to  reload,  turned  to  minister  to  Pluto's  hurt, 
where  he  lay  whining  and  whimpering.  Suddenly  an 
arrow  struck  the  rock  hard  beside  me  and  then  came 
a  whizzing  shower,  whereupon  we  took  such  shelter  as 
offered  and  whence  we  might  retort  upon  them  with 
our  shot.  And  after  some  while,  as  we  lay  thus,  staring 
down  into  the  gorge,  came  the  report  of  a  musket 
and  a  bullet  whipped  betwixt  us. 

'TLord,  Martin!"  quoth  Sir  Richard  cheerily,  his 
eyes  kindling.  "It  was  vastly  unwise  to  fall  asleep  by 
this  well  in  so  thirsty  a  country;  'tis  a  known  place 
and  much  frequented,  doubtless.  Wisdom  doth  urge 
a  retreat  so  soon  as  you  have  filled  our  water  bottles ; 
meantime  I  will  do  all  I  may  to  dissuade  our  assailant* 
from  approaching  too  near." 

So  saying,  he  levelled  his  piece  and,  dwelling  on  his 
aim,  fired,  whiles  I,  screened  from  bullets  and  arrows 
alike,  filled  our  flasks  and  doing  so,  espied  a  small  cave, 
excellent  suited  to  our  defence  and  where  two  deter- 
mined men  might  hold  in  check  a  whole  army. 

Hereupon  I  summoned  Sir  Richard  who,  seeing  this 
cave  commanded  the  gorge  and  might  only  be  car- 
ried in  front,  approved  it  heartily,  so  thither  we 
repaired,  taking  Pluto  with  us  and  him  yory  woful. 
And  lying  thus  in  our  little  fort  we  laid  out  our  arma- 
ment, that  is,  our  two  muskets  and  four  pistols,  and 
took  stock  of  our  ammunition,  I  somewhat  dashed  to 
find  we  had  but  thirty  charges  betwixt  us,  the  pistols 
included.  Sir  Richard,  on  the  other  hand,  seemed  but 
the  more  resolute  and  cheery  therefor. 

"For  look  now,  Martin,"  said  he,  cocking  his  musket 
and  levelling  it  betwixt  the  boulders  we  had  piled  to 


282     Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

our  better  defence,  "here  we  have  fifteen  lives,  or  say 
twenty,  though  you  are  better  with  sword  than  musket 
I  take  it;  should  these  not  suffice,  then  we  have  two 
excellent  swords  and  lastly  our  legs,  indifferent  bad  as 
regards  mine  own,  but  in  a  little  'twill  be  black  dark, 
the  moon  doth  not  rise  till  near  dawn.  So  here  are 
we  snug  for  the  moment  and  very  able  to  our  defence 
these  many  hours,  God  be  thanked!"  And  thus  he 
of  his  own  indomitable  spirit  cheered  me.  Suddenly  he 
pulled  trigger  and  as  the  smoke  cleared  I  saw  his  bullet 
had  sped  true,  for  amid  certain  rocks  below  us  a  man 
rose  up,  clad  in  Spanish  half-armour,  and  sinking  for- 
ward, lay  there  motionless,  plain  to  our  view. 

"Two!"  quoth  Sir  Richard,  and  fell  to  reloading 
his  piece,  wadding  the  charge  with  strips  from  his 
ragged  garments. 

The  fall  of  this  Spaniard  caused  no  little  stir  among 
our  unseen  assailants,  for  the  air  rang  with  fierce 
outcries  and  the  shrill  battle  hootings  of  the  Indians, 
and  a  shower  of  arrows  rattled  among  the  rocks  about 
us  and  thereafter  a  volley  of  shot,  and  no  scathe  to  us. 

"War  is  a  hateful  thing!"  quoth  Sir  Richard  sud- 
denly. "See  yon  Spaniard  I  shot,  God  forgive  me — 
hark  how  he  groaneth,  poor  soul!"  And  he  showed 
me  the  Spaniard,  who  writhed  ever  and  anon  where 
he  lay  across  the  rock  and  wailed  feebly  for  water. 
^'Methinks  'twere  merciful  to  end  his  sufferings, 
Martin !" 

"Mayhap,  sir,  though  we  have  few  enough  charges 
to   spare!" 

"Thus  speaketh  cold  prudence  and  common  sense, 
Martin,  and  yet " 

But  here  the  matter  was  put  beyond  dispute  for, 
even  as  Sir  Richard  levelled  his  musket,  the  wounded 
Spaniard  slipped  and  rolled  behind  the  rock  and  lay 
quite  hid  save  for  a  hand  and  arm  that  twitched  feebly 
ever  and  anon. 


We  Resume  Our  Journey       285 

"And  he  was  crying  for  water !"  sighed  Sir  Richard. 
"Thirst  is  an  agony,  as  we  do  know.  Hark,  he  crieth 
yet !  'Twere  act  commendable  to  give  drink  to  a  dying 
man,  enemy  though  he  be." 

"Most  true,  sir,  but — nay,  what  would  you.?"  I  said, 
grasping  his  arm  as  he  made  to  rise. 

"Endeavour  as  much  good  as  I  may  in  the  little  of 
life  left  to  me,  Martin.  The  poor  soul  lieth  none  so 
far  and " 

"Sir — sir!"  quoth  I,  tightening  my  hold.  "You 
would  be  shot  ere  you  had  gone  a  yard— ^are  ye  mad 
indeed  or — do  you  seek  death?"  Now  at  this  he  was 
silent,  and  I  felt  him  trembling. 

"Tliis  is  as  God  willeth,  Martin!"  said  he  at  last, 
"Howbeit  I  must  go;  prithee  loose  me,  dear  lad!" 

"Nay!"  cried  I  harshly.  "If  you  will  have  our 
enemy  drink,  I  shall  bear  it  myself " 

"No,  no !"  cried  he,  grappling  me  in  turn  as  I  rose. 
'*Wliat  I  may  do  you  cannot — be  reasonable,  Martin 
— you  bulk  so  much  greater  than  I,  they  cannot  fail 
of  such  a  mark " 

Now  as  we  argued  the  matter  thus,  each  mightj 
•determined,  Pluto  set  up  a  joyous  barking  and,  rising 
on  three  legs,  stood  with  ears  cocked  and  tail  wagging, 
the  which  put  me  in  no  small  perplexity  until,  all  at 
once,  certain  bushes  that  grew  hard  by  swayed  gently 
and  forth  of  the  leaves  stepped  an  Indian  clad  for 
battle,  like  a  great  chief  or  cacique  (as  'tis  called) 
for  on  arm  and  breast  and  forehead  gold  glittered, 
and  immediately  we  knew  him  for  Atlamatzin. 

"Greeting  to  ye,  father  and  brother!"  said  he, 
saluting  us  in  his  grave  and  stately  fashion. 
**Atlamatzin  and  his  people  are  full  of  gratitude  to 
ye  and  because  ye  are  great  and  notable  warriors, 
scornful  of  the  white  man's  God,  Atlamatzin  and  his 
warriors  have  followed  to  do  ye  homage  and  bring  ye 
safe  to  your  journey's  end,  and  finding  ye,  lo!  we  find 


284    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

also  our  enemies,  whose  eyes  seeing  nought  but  ye  two, 
behold  nought  of  the  death  that  creepeth  about  them; 
so  now,  when  the  shadow  shall  kiss  the  small  rock 
yonder,  do  you  make  your  thunder  and  in  that 
moment  shall  Atlamatzin  smite  them  to  their  destruc- 
tion and,  if  the  gods  spare  him,  shall  surely  find  ye 
again  that  are  his  father  and  brother!" 

Something  thus  spake  he  below  his  breath  in  his 
halting  Spanish,  very  grave  and  placid,  then  saluting 
us,  was  gone  swift  and  silent  as  he  came. 

"An  inch!"  quoth  Sir  Richard,  pointing  to  the 
creeping  shadow  and  so  we  watched  this  fateful  shade 
until  it  was  come  upon  the  rock,  whereupon  I  let  off 
my  piece  and  Sir  Richard  a  moment  after,  and  like  an 
echo  to  these  shots  rose  sudden  dreadful  clamour, 
shouts,  the  rapid  discharge  of  firearms ;  but  wilder, 
fiercer,  and  louder  than  all  the  shrill  and  awful  Indian 
battle  cry.  And  now,  on  bush-girt  slopes  to  right  and 
left  was  bitter  strife,  a  close-locked  fray  that  burst 
suddenly  asunder  and  swirled  down  till  pursued  and 
pursuer  were  lost  amid  that  tangle  of  blooming  thick- 
ets where  it  seemed  the  battle  clamoured  awhile,  then 
roared  away  as  the  enemy  broke  and  fled  before  the 
sudden  furious  onset  of  Atlamatzin's  warriors. 

As  for  us,  we  lay  within  our  refuge,  nor  stirred 
until  this  din  of  conflict  was  but  a  vague  murmur,  for 
though  we  might  see  divers  of  the  fallen  where  they 
lay,  these  neither  stirred  nor  made  any  outcry  since 
it  seemed  their  business  was  done  eff*ectually. 

"And  now,  Martin,"  said  Sir  Richard,  rising,  "  'tis 
time  we  got  hence  lest  any  of  our  assailants  come 
a-seeking  us." 

So  being  out  of  the  cave,  I  set  myself  to  see  that 
we  had  all  our  gear  to  hand,  to  empty  and  refill  my 
flask  with  this  good  water  and  the  like  until,  missing 
Sir  Richard,  I  turned  to  behold  him  already  hard 
upon  that  rock  where  lay  the  wounded  Spaniard,  Pluto 


We  Resume  Our  Journey      285 

limping  at  his  heels.  Being  come  to  the  rock,  Sir 
Richard  unslung  his  water  bottle  and  stopped,  was 
blotted  out  in  sudden  smoke-cloud,  and,  even  as  the 
report  reached  me,  I  began  to  run,  raving  like  any 
madman ;  and  thus,  panting  out  prayers  and  curses, 
I  came  where  stood  Sir  Richard  leaning  against  this 
rock,  one  hand  clasped  to  his  side,  and  the  fingers  of 
this  hand  horribly  red.  And  now  I  was  aware  of  a 
shrill  screaming  that,  ending  suddenly,  gave  place  to 
dreadful  snarling  and  worrying  sound,  but  heedless 
of  aught  but  Sir  Richard's  wound,  I  ran  to  bear  him 
in  my  arms  as  he  fell. 

"Oh,  Martin,"  said  he  faintly,  looking  up  at  me 
with  his  old  brave  smile,  "  'tis  come  at  last — my  jour- 
neying is  done " 

Scarce  knowing  what  I  did,  I  gathered  him  to  my 
bosom  and  bore  him  back  to  the  cave;  and  now,  when 
I  would  have  staunched  his  hurt,  he  shook  feeble  head. 

"Let  be,  dear  lad,"  said  he,  "nought  shall  avail — 
not  all  your  care  and  love — for  here  is  friend  Death 
at  last  come  to  lift  me  up  to  a  merciful  God !" 

None  the  less  I  did  all  that  I  might  for  his  hurt 
save  to  probe  for  the  pistol  ball  that  was  gone  too 
deep.  And  presently,  as  I  knelt  beside  him  in  a  very 
agony  of  helplessness,  cometh  Pluto,  fouled  with  blood 
other  than  his  own,  and  limping  hither,  cast  himself 
down,  his  great  paw  across  Sir  Richard's  legs,  licking 
at  those  weary  feet  that  should  tramp  beside  us  no 
farther.    And  thus  night  found  us. 

"Martin,"  said  Sir  Richard  suddenly,  his  voice 
strong,  "bear  me  out  where  I  may  behold  the  stars,  for 
I — ever  loved  them  and  the  wonder  of  them — even  in 
my — unregenerate  days."  So  I  bore  him  without,  and 
indeed  the  heavens  were  a  glory. 

"Dear  lad,"  said  he,  clasping  my  hand,  "grieve  not 
that  I  die,  for  Death  is  my  friend — hath  marched 
beside  me  these  many  weary  miles,  yet  spared  me  long 


286    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

enough  to  know  and  love  you  ever  better  for  the  man 
you  are. — Now  as  to  Joan,  my  daughter,  I — grieve  not 
to  see  her — ^but — God's  will  be  done,  lad.  Amen.  And 
because  I  knew  I  must  die  here  in  Darien,  I  writ  her  a 
letter — 'tis  here  in  my  bosom — give  it  her,  saying  I — 
ever  loved  her  greatly  more  than  I  let  her  guess  and  that 
— by  my  sufferings  I  was  a  something  better  man,  being 
— humbler,  gentler,  and  of — a  contrite  heart.  And  now, 
Martin — thou  that  didst  forgive  and  love  thine  enemy, 
saving  him  at  thine  own  peril  and  using  him  as  thy 
dear  friend — my  time  is  come — I  go  into  the  infinite — 
Death's  hand  is  on  me  but — a  kindly  hand — lifting  me 
— to  my  God — my  love  shall  go  with  ye — all  the  way 
— you  and  her — alway.     Into  Thy  hands,  O  Lord !" 

And  thus  died  my  enemy,  like  the  brave  and  noble 
gentleman  he  was,  his  head  pillowed  upon  my  bosom, 
his  great  soul  steadfast  and  unfearing  to  the  last. 

And  I,  a  lost  and  desolate  wretch,  wept  at  my  bitter 
loss  and  cried  out  against  the  God  who  had  snatched 
from  me  this  the  only  man  I  had  ever  truly  loved  and 
honoured.  And  bethinking  me  of  his  patient  endur- 
ance, I  thought  I  might  have  been  kinder  and  more 
loving  in  many  ways  and  to  my  grief  was  added  bitter 
self-reproaches. 

At  last,  the  day  appearing,  I  arose  and,  taking  up 
my  dead,  bore  him  down  to  the  gorge  and  presently 
came  upon  a  quiet  spot  unsullied  by  the  foulness  of 
battle;  and  here,  amid  the  glory  of  t'xese  blooming 
thickets,  I  laid  him  to  his  last  rest,  whiles  Pluto , 
watched  me,  whining  ever  and  anon.  And  when  I  had 
made  an  end,  I  fell  on  my  knees  and  would  have  prayed, 
yet  could  not. 

So  back  went  I  at  last,  slow-footed,  to  the  cave  and 
thus  came  on  Sir  Richard's  letter,  it  sealed  and  super- 
scribed thus: 

Unto  my  loved  dauc^hter,  Joan  Brandon. 


We  Resume  Our  Journey      287 

And  beholding  this  beloved  name,  a  great  heart-sickness 
came  on  me  with  a  vision  of  a  joy  I  scarce  dared  think 
on  that  had  been  mine  but  for  my  blind  selfishness  and 
stubborn  will;  and  with  this  was  a  knowledge  of  all 
the  wasted  years  and  a  loss  unutterable.  And  thus 
my  grief  took  me  again,  so  that  this  letter  was  wetted 
with  tears  of  bitter  remorse. 

At  last  I  arose  (the  letter  in  my  bosom)  and  girding 
my  weapons  about  me  (choosing  that  musket  had  been 
Sir  Richard's)  stood  ready  to  begone.  But  now,  miss- 
ing the  dog,  I  called  to  him,  and  though  he  howled  in 
answer,  he  came  not,  wherefore  following  his  outcries, 
they  brought  me  to  Sir  Kichard's  grave  and  Pluto 
crouched  thereby,  whimpering.  At  my  command  he 
limped  towards  me  a  little  way,  then  crawled  back 
again,  and  this  he  did  as  often  as  I  called,  wherefore 
at  last  I  turned  away  and,  setting  forth  in  my  loneli- 
ness, left  these  two  together. 


CHAPTER  XXXI 
I  Meet  a  Madman 

Having  taken  my  bearings,  I  set  off  at  speed  nor 
did  I  stay  for  rest  or  refreshment  until  I  had  traversed 
many  miles  and  the  sun's  heat  was  grown  nigh  intoler- 
able. So  I  halted  in  such  shade  as  the  place  offered, 
and  having  eaten  and  drunk,  I  presently  fell  asleep 
and  awoke  to  find  the  day  far  spent  and  to  look  around 
for  Sir  Richard  as  had  become  my  wont.  And  finding 
him  not,  in  rushed  memory  to  smite  me  anew  with  his 
death,  so  that  I  must  needs  fall  to  thinking  of  his 
lonely  grave  so  far  behind  me  in  these  wilds ;  where- 
fore in  my  sorrow  I  bitterly  cursed  this  land  of  cruel 
heat,  of  quenchless  thirst  and  trackless,  weary  ways, 
and  falling  on  my  knees,  I  prayed  as  I  had  never 
prayed,  humbly  and  with  no  thought  of  self,  save  that 
God  would  guide  me  henceforth  and  make  me  more 
worthy  the  great  health  and  strength  wherewith  He 
had  blessed  me,  and,  if  it  so  pleased  Him,  bring  me 
safe  at  last  to  my  dear  lady's  love.  Thus  after  some 
vrhile  I  arose  and  went  my  solitary  way,  and  it  seemed 
that  I  was  in  some  ways  a  different  and  a  better  man, 
by  reason  of  Sir  Richard  his  death  and  my  grief 
therefor. 

And  as  the  darkness  of  night  deepened  about  me  and 
I  striding  on,  guided  by  the  dim-seen  needle  of  my 
compass,  often  I  would  fancy  Sir  Richard's  loved  form 
beside  me  or  the  sound  of  his  limping  step  in  my  ear, 
so  that  in  the  solitude  of  this  vasty  wilderness  I  was 


I  Meet  a  Madman  289 

not  solitary,  since  verily  his  love  seemed  all  about  me 
yet,  even  as  he  had  promised. 

All  this  night  I  travelled  apace  nor  stayed  until 
I  fell  for  very  weariness  and  lying  there,  ate  such  food 
as  I  had,  not  troubling  to  light  a  fire,  and  fell  asleep. 
Now  as  I  lay,  it  seemed  that  Sir  Richard  stood  above 
me,  his  arm  reached  out  as  to  fend  from  me  some 
evil  tiling,  yet  when  he  spoke,  voice  and  words  were 
those  of  Joanna: 

"Hola,  Martino  fool,  and  must  I  be  for  ever  saving 

your  life?" 

And  now  I  saw  it  was  Joanna  indeed  who  stood 
^here,  clad  in  her  male  attire,  hand  on  hip,  all  glowing, 
insolent  beauty;  but  as  I  stared  she  changed,  and  I 
saw  her  as  I  had  beheld  her  last,  her  gown  and  white 
bosom  all  dabbled  with  her  blood,  but  on  her  lips  was 
smile  ineffably  tender  and  in  her  eyes  the  radiance  of 
a  joy  great  beyond  all  telling. 

"Lover  Martino,"  said  she,  bending  above  me,  "I 
went  for  you  to  death,  unfearing,  for  only  the  dead 
do  know  the  perfect  love,  since  death  is  more  than  life, 
so  is  my  love  around  you  for  ever — wake,  beloved!" 

Herewith  she  bent  and  touched  me  and,  waking,  I 
saw  this  that  touched  me  was  no  more  than  the  leafy 
end  of  a  branch  'neath  which  I  chanced  to  lie, — but 
pendant  from  this  swaying  branch  I  espied  a  monstrous 
shape  that  writhed  toward  me  in  the  dimness ;  behold- 
ing which  awful,  silent  thing  I  leapt  up,  crying  out 
for  very  horror  and  staying  but  to  snatch  my  gun, 
sped  from  this  evil  place,  nigh  sick  with  dread  and 
loathing. 

The  moon  was  up,  dappling  these  gloomy  shades 
with  her  pure  light  and  as  I  sped,  staring  fearfully 
about  me,  I  espied  divers  of  these  great  serpents 
twisted  among  the  boughs  overhead,  and  monstrous 
bat-like  shapes  that  flitted  hither  and  thither  so  that 
I  ran  in  sweating  panic  until  the  leafage,  above  and 


290    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

around  me,  thinning  out,  showed  me  the  full  splendour 
of  this  tropic  moon  and  a  single  great  tree  that  soared 
mightily  aloft  to  thrust  out  spreading  branches  high 
in  air.  Now  as  I  approached  this,  I  checked  suddenly 
and,  cocking  my  musket,  called  out  in  fierce  challenge, 
for  round  the  bole  of  this  tree  peeped  the  pallid  oval 
of  a  face;  thrice  I  summoned,  and  getting  no  answer, 
levelled  and  fired  point-blank,  the  report  of  my  piece 
waking  a  thousand  echoes  and  therewith  a  chattering 
and  screeching  from  the  strange  beasts  that  stirred 
in  the  denser  woods  about  me;  and  there  (maugre  my 
shot),  there,  I  say,  was  the  face  peering  at  me  evilly 
as  before.  But  now  something  in  its  stark  and  utter 
stillness  clutched  me  with  new  dread  as,  slinging  my 
musket  and  drawing  pistol,  I  crept  towards  this  pallid, 
motionless  thing  and  saw  it  for  a  face  indeed,  with 
mouth  foolishly  agape,  and  presently  beheld  this  for 
a  man  fast-bound  to  the  tree  and  miserably  dead  by 
torture.  And  coming  near  this  awful,  writhen  form, 
I  apprehended  something  about  it  vaguely  familiar, 
and  suddenly  (being  come  close)  saw  this  poor  body 
was  clad  as  an  English  sailor;  perceiving  which,  I 
shivered  in  sudden  dread  and  made  haste  to  recharge 
my  musket,  spilling  some  of  my  precious  powder  in 
my  hurry,  and  so  hasting  from  this  awful  thing  with 
this  new  dread  gnawing  at  my  heart. 

Presently  before  me  rose  steepy  crags  very  wild 
and  desolate,  but  nowhere  a  tree  to  daunt  me.  Here 
I  halted  and  my  first  thought  to  light  a  fire,  since  the 
gloomy  thickets  adjacent  and  the  sombre  forests 
beyond  were  full  of  unchancy  noises,  stealthy  rust- 
lings, shrill  cries  and  challengings  very  dismal  to  hear. 
But  in  a  while,  my  fire  burning  brightly,  sword  loose  in 
scabbard,  musket  across  my  knee  and  my  back  'gainst 
the  rock,  I  fell  to  pondering  my  dream  and  the  wonder 
of  it,  of  Joanna  and  her  many  noble  qualities,  of  her 
strange,  tempestuous  nature;  and  lifting  my  gaze  to 


I  Meet  a  Madman  291 

the  wonder  of  stars,  it  seemed  indeed  that  she,  though 
dead,  yet  lived  and  must  do  so  for  ever,  even  as  these 
quenchless  lights  of  heaven;  and  thus  I  revolved  the 
mystery  of  life  and  death  until  sleep  stole  upon  me. 

I  waked  suddenly  to  snatch  up  my  musket  and  peer 
at  the  dim  figure  sitting  motionless  beyond  the  dying 
fire,  then,  as  a  long  arm  rose  in  salutation,  lowered  my 
weapon,  mighty  relieved  to  recognise  the  Indian, 
Atlamatzin. 

"Greeting,  my  brother,"  quoth  he;  "all  yesterday 
I  followed  on  thy  track,  but  my  brother  is  swift  and 
Atlamatzin  weary  of  battle." 

"And  what  of 'the  battle?" 

"Death,  my  brother:  as  leaves  of  the  forest  lie  the 
Maya  warriors,  but  of  our  enemies  none  return.  So 
am  I  solitary,  my  work  done,  and  solitary  go  I  to 
Pachacamac  that  lieth  beside  the  Great  Sea.  But 
there  is  an  empty  place  betwixt  us,  brother — what  of 
the   old   cacique   so    cunning  in   battle — what   of   my 

father?" 

Here,  as  well  as  I  might,  I  told  him  of  Sir  Richard's 
cruel  murder;  at  this  he  was  silent  a  great  while, 
staring  sombrely  into  the  fire.  Suddenly  he  started 
and  pointed  upward  at  a  great,  flitting  shape  that 
hovered  above  us  and  sprang  to  his  feet  as  one  sore 
affrighted,  whereupon  I  told  him  this  was  but  a  bat 
(though  of  monstrous  size)  and  could  nothing  harm  us. 

"Nay,  brother,  here  is  Zotzilaha  Chimalman  that 
reigneth  in  the  House  of  Bats,  for  though  Atlamatzin 
was  bom  without  fear,  yet  doth  he  respect  the  gods, 
in  especial  Zotzilaha  Chimalman!" 

Now  hereupon,  seeing  the  dawn  was  at  hand,  I  rose, 
nor  waited  a  second  bidding  for,  gods  or  no,  this 
seemed  to  me  a  place  abounding  in  terrors  and  strange 
evils,  and  I  mighty  glad  of  this  Indian's  fellowship. 
So  up  I  rose,  tightening  my  girdle,  but  scarce  had  I 
shouldered  my  musket  than   I   stood  motionless,  my 


292    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

heart  a-leaping,  staring  towards  a  certain  part  of  the 
surrounding  woods  whence  had  sounded  a  sudden  cry. 
And  hearkening  to  this,  back  rushed  that  sick  dread  I 
had  known  already,  for  this  was  a  human  cry,  very 
desolate  and  wistful,  and  the  words  English: 

"Jeremy,  ahoy — oho,  Jeremy!" 

Breaking  the  spell  that  numbed  me,  I  made  all  haste 
to  discover  the  wherefore  of  these  dolorous  sounds  and 
plunged  into  the  noxious  gloom  of  the  woods, 
Atlamatzin  hard  on  my  heels ;  and  ever  as  we  went, 
guided  by  these  hoarse  shouts,  the  dawn  lightened 
about  us. 

Thus  presently  I  espied  a  forlorn  figure  afar  off, 
crouched  beneath  a  tree,  a  strange,  wild  figure  that 
tossed  a  knife  from  hand  to  hand  and  laughed  and 
chattered  'twixt  his  shouting. 

"Ahoy,  Jerry,  I'm  all  adrift — where  be  you?  I'm 
out  o'  my  soundings,  lad — 'tis  me — 'tis  Dick — your  old 
messmate  as  drank  many  a  pint  wi'  you  alongside 
Deptford  Pool — Ahoy,  Jerem^M" 

Now  espying  us  where  we  stood,  he  scrambled  to  his 
feet,  peering  at  us,  through  his  tangled  hair:  then, 
dropping  his  knife,  comes  running,  his  arms  out- 
stretched, then  checks  as  suddenly  and  stares  me  over 
with  a  cunning  leer. 

*'Avast,  Dick!"  said  he,  smiting  himself  on  ragged 
breast.  "This  bean't  poor  Jerry — poor  Jerry  ain't 
half  his  size — a  little  man  be  Jerem}",  not  so  big  as 
Sir  Adam " 

"Who !"  cried  I  and,  dropping  my  gun,  I  caught 
him  by  his  ragged  sleeve,  whereupon  he  grinned  fool- 
ishl}',  then  as  suddenly  scowled  and  wrenched  free. 
"Speak,  man !"  said  I  in  passionate  pleading.  "Is  it 
Sir  Adam  Penfeather  3^ou  mean — Captain  Pen- 
feather?" 

"Maybe  I  do  an'  maybe  I  don't,  so  all's  one!"  said 
he.    "Howsomever,    'tis    Jerry    I'm    arter — my    mate 


I  Meet  a  Madman  293 

Jeremy  as  went  adrift  from  me — my  mate  Jerry  as 
could  sing  so  true,  but  I  was  the  lad  to  dance !"  And 
here  he  must  needs  fall  a-dancing  in  his  rags,  singing 
hoarsely : 

"Heave-ho,  lads,  and  here's  mj  ditty  I 
Saw  ye  e'er  in  town  or  city 
A  lass  to  kiss  so  sweet  an'  pretty 
As  Bess  o'  Bednall  Green. 

"Heave-ho,  lads,  she's  one  to  please  ye 
Bess  will  kiss  an'  Bess  will ^ 

*'Oho,  Jerry — Jeremy-ahoy — ^haul  your  wind,  lad; 
bear    up,    Jerry,    an'    let    Dick    come    'longside    ye, 

lad 1"    and   here    the   poor   wretch,    from    singing 

and  dancing,  falls  to  doleful  wailing  with  gush  of  tears 
and  bitter  sobs. 

"Tell  me,"  said  I  as  gently  as  I  might  and  laying  a 
hand  on  his  hairy  shoulder,  "who  are  you — the  name 
of  your  ship — who  was  your  captain?" 

But  all  I  got  was  a  scowl,  a  sudden  buffet  of  his 
fist,  and  away  he  sped,  raising  again  his  hoarse  and 
plaintive  cry: 

"Ahoy,  Jerry — Jeremy,  ho  !" 

And  thus,  my  mind  in  a  ferment,  I  must  needs  watch 
him  go,  torn  at  by  briars,  tripped  by  unseen  obstacles, 
running  and  leaping  like  the  poor,  mad  thing  he  was. 

Long  I  stood  thus  in  painful  perplexity,  when  I 
heard  a  sudden  dreadful  screaming  at  no  great  dis- 
tance: 

"Oh,  Jerry — Oh,  Jerry,  lad — what  ha'  they  done  to 
thee — Oh,  Christ  Jesus  !" 

Then  came  a  ringing  shot,  and  guessing  what  this 
was  I  turned  away.  "Atlamatzin,"  said  I,  taking  up 
my  musket,  "you  spake  truth — verily  this  place  is 
accursed — come,  let  us  begone  !" 

For  long  hours  I  strode  on,  scarce  heeding  my  silent 
companion  or  aught  else,  my  mind  pondering  the  men- 


294    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

tion  this  poor,  mad  wretch  had  made  of  "Sir  Adam," 
and  ever  my  trouble  grew,  for  if  he  and  the  dead  man 
Jeremy  were  indeed  of  Adam's  company  (the  which 
I  suspected)  how  should  they  come  thus  lost  in  the  wild, 
except  Adam  had  met  with  some  disaster,  and  were  this 
truly  so  indeed,  then  what  of  my  dear  and  gentle 
lady?  And  now  I  must  needs  picture  to  myself  Adam 
slain,  his  men  scattered  and,  for  Joan,  such  horrors 
that  it  was  great  wonder  I  did  not  run  mad  like  this 
poor,  lost  mariner.  Tormented  thus  of  my  doubts  and 
most  horrid  speculations,  I  went  at  furious  speed,  yet 
ever  my  fears  grew  the  more  passionate  until  it  grew 
beyond  enduring  and  I  sighed  and  groaned,  inso- 
much that  my  Indian  comrade  stood  off,  eyeing  me 
askance  where  I  had  cast  myself  miserably  beside  the 
way. 

"My  brother  is  haunted  by  the  evil  spirits  sent 
abroad  for  his  destruction  by  Chimalman,  so  shall 
he  presently  run  mad  and  become  sacred  to  Zotzilaha 
Chimalman  and  suddenly  die,  except  he  obey  me.  For 
I,  Atlamatzin,  that  am  without  fear  and  wise  in  the 
magic  of  my  people,  shall  drive  hence  these  devils  an 
ye  will." 

"Dt)  aught  you  will,"  groaned  I,  "if  you  can  but 
rid  me  of  evil  fancies  and  imaginings." 

Forthwith  he  kindled  a  fire  and  I,  watching  dull 
and  abstracted,  being  full  of  my  trouble,  was  aware  of 
him  cracking  and  bruising  certain  herbs  or  leaves  he 
had  plucked,  mingling  these  with  brownish  powder 
from  the  deerskin  pouch  he  bore  at  his  girdle,  which 
mixture  he  cast  upon  the  fire,  whence  came  a  smoke 
very  sweet  and  pungent  that  he  fanned  to- 
wards me. 

"Behold  my  smoke,  brother!"  saith  he,  his  voice 
suddenly  loud  and  commanding,  "smell  of  it  and  watch 
how  it  doth  thicken  and  close  about  thee !"  And  verily 
as  I  looked,  I  saw  nought  but  a  column  of  whirhng 


I  Meet  a  Madman  295 

smoke  that  grew  ever  more  dense  and  in  it,  this  loud 
compelling  voice. 

"Hearken,  my  brother,  to  the  voices  of  thy  good 

angels;   behold   and   see  truth    afar ^"      The  loud 

voice  died  away  and  in  its  place  came  another,  and 
I  knew  that  Joanna  spoke  to  me  out  of  this  whirling 
smoke  cloud. 

**0h,  Martino,  hast  thou  so  little  faith  to  think  my 
blood  spilt  in  vain?  Did  I  not  give  thee  unto  her  that 
waiteth,  living  but  for  thee,  yes?     Look  and  behold!" 

I  saw  a  gleam  of  metal  amid  the  green  and  four 
ship's  culverins  or  demi-cannon  mounted  on  rough, 
wheeled  carriages  and  hauled  at  by  wild-looking  men, 
who  toiled  and  sweated  amain,  for  the  way  was  difficult 
and  their  ordnance  heavy;  and  amongst  these  men  one 
very  quick  and  active,  very  masterful  of  look  and 
imperious  of  gesture,  a  small  man  in  battered  harness, 
and  knowing  him  for  Adam,  I  would  have  hailed  him, 
but  even  then  he  was  gone  and  nought  to  see  but  this 
writhing  smoke  cloud. 

I  beheld  a  great,  orbed  moon,  very  bright  and  clear, 
and  slumbering  in  this  calm  radiance  a  goodly  city 
with  a  harbour  where  rode  many  ships  great  and 
small,  and  beside  this  harbour,  defending  these  ships 
and  the  city  itself,  a  notable  strong  castle  or  fort,  high- 
walled  and  embattled,  with  great  ordnance  mounted 
both  landward  and  towards  the  sea.  And  nigh  upon 
this  fort  I  beheld  the  stealthy  forms  of  men,  toilwom 
and  ragged,  whose  battered,  rusty  armour  glinted  ever 
and  anon  as  they  crept  in  two  companies  advancing  to 
right  and  left.  Behind  these,  masked  in  the  brush  on 
the  edge  of  the  forest,  four  demi-cannon  with  gunners 
to  serve  them,  foremost  of  whom  was  a  short,  squat 
fellow  who  crept  from  gun  to  gun,  and  him  I  knew 
for  Godby.  And  presently  from  these  four  guns  leapt 
smoke  and  flame  to  batter  and  burst  asunder  the 
postern  gate  of  the  fort,  and  through  this  ruin  I  saw 


296    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

Adam  leap,  sword  in  hand,  his  desperate  company  hard 
on  his  heels. 

I  saw  a  great  galleon  spread  her  sails  against  the 
moon,  and  the  red  glare  of  her  broadside  flame  against 
the  town  as,  squaring  her  yards,  she  bore  away  for 
the  open  sea. 

I  saw  the  deck  of  a  ship,  deserted  save  for  one  deso- 
late figure  that  stood  gazing  ever  in  the  one  direction ; 
and  as  I  watched,  eager-eyed,  this  lonely  figure  knelt 
suddenly  and  reached  towards  me  yearning  arms,  and 
I  saw  this  was  my  beloved  Joan.  Now  would  I  have 
leapt  to  those  empty  arms,  but  the  smoke  blinded  me 
again,  and  in  this  smoke  I  heard  the  voice  of  Joanna. 

"Oh,  Martino,  thou  that  love  doth  make  coward, 
be  comforted  and  of  good  courage,  for  thy  happiness 
is  hers — and  mine,  yes !" 

So  I  presently  waked  and,  staring  about  me,  started 
up  amazed  to  see  it  was  dawn  and  the  sun  rising 
already,  and  beyond  the  fire  the  sombre  form  of 
Atlamatzin. 

"Are  the  evil  spirits  fled  from  my  brother.?"  he 
questioned. 

"Indeed,"  said  I,  "I  have  dreamed  wonderfully  and 
to  my  great  comfort." 

"Great  is  the  magic  of  Atlamatzin!"  quoth  he. 
"  'Tis  secret  that  shall  die  with  him  and  that  soon^ 
for  now  must  he  begone  to  achieve  his  destiny.  As 
for  thee — yonder,  a  day's  journey,  lieth  the  Great 
Water.  May  Kukulcan  have  thee  in  his  care,  he  that 
is  Father  of  Life — fare  ye  well." 

But  at  this,  seeing  him  on  his  feet,  I  rose  also,  to 
grasp  his  hand,  asking  whither  he  went.  For  answer 
he  pointed  to  the  trackless  wild  and  then  raised  his 
finger  to  the  sun  that  was  flooding  the  world  with  his 
splendour. 

"Brother,"  said  Atlamatzin,  pointing  to  this  glory, 
**I  go  back  whence  I  came,  back  to  Kukulcan  that 


I  Meet  a  Madman  297 

some    so    call    Quetzalcoatl,    back    to    the    Father    of 
Life!" 

So  saying,  he  lifted  hand  aloft  in  salutation  and 
turning,  strode  away  due  east,  so  that  his  form  was 
swallowed  up  (as  it  were)  in  tliis  radiant  glory. 


CHAPTER  XXXII 
How  I  Found  My  Beloved  at  Last 

Left  alone,  I  broke  my  fast  with  such  food  as  I  had, 
meanwhile  meditating  upon  the  visions  of  last  night, 
debating  within  myself  if  this  were  indeed  a  marvel 
conjured  up  of  Atlamatzin  his  black  magic,  or  no  more 
than  a  dream  of  my  own  tortured  mind,  to  the  which 
I  found  no  answer,  ponder  the  matter  how  I  might. 

None  the  less  I  found  myself  much  easier,  the  haunt- 
ing fear  clean  lifted  from  me;  nay,  in  my  heart  sang 
Hope,  bhthe  as  any  bird,  for  the  wliich  comfort  I  did 
not  fail  humbly  to  thank  God. 

I  now  consulted  my  compass  and  decided  to  bear  up 
more  northerly  lest  I  strike  too  far  east  and  thus 
overshoot  that  bay  Adam  had  marked  on  his  chart. 
So  having  collected  my  gear,  I  took  my  musket  in  the 
crook  of  my  arm  and  set  out  accordingly. 

Before  me  was  a  wild,  rolling  country  that  rose, 
level  on  level,  very  thick  of  brush  and  thickets  so 
tangled  that  I  must  oft  win  me  a  path  by  dint  of 
mine  axe.  Yet  I  struggled  on  as  speedily  as  I  might 
(maugre  this  arduous  labour  and  the  sun's  heat)  for 
more  than  once  amid  the  thousand  heavy  scents  of 
flower  and  herb  and  tree,  I  thought  to  catch  the  sweet, 
keen  tang  of  the  sea. 

All  this  day  I  strode  resolutely  forward,  scarce 
pausing  to  eat  or  drink,  nor  will  I  say  more  of  this 
day's  journey  except  that  the  sun  was  setting  as  I 
reached  the  top  of  a  wooded  eminence  and,  halting 
suddenly,  fell  upon  my  knees  and  within  me  such  a 


How  I  Found  My  Beloved  at  Last  299 

joy  as  I  had  seen  the  gates  of  paradise  opening  to 
receive  me;  for  there,  all  glorious  with  the  blaze  of 
sunset,  lay  the  ocean  at  last.  And  beholding  thus  my 
long  and  weary  journey  so  nearly  ended,  and 
bethinking  me  how  many  times  God  had  preserved 
me  and  brought  me  safe  through  so  man}^  dire  perils, 
of  this  most  evil  country,  I  bowed  my  head  and  strove 
to  tell  Him  m}^  heart's  gratitude.  My  prayer  ended 
(and  most  inadequate!)  I  began  to  run,  my  weariness 
all  forgot,  the  breath  of  the  sea  sweet  in  m.y  nostrils, 
nor  stayed  until  I  might  look  down  on  the  foaming 
breakers  far  below  and  hear  their  distant  roar. 

Long  stood  I,  like  one  entranced,  for  from  this 
height  I  could  make  out  the  blue  shapes  of  several 
islands  and  be3^ond  these  a  faint  blur  upon  the  horizon, 
the  which  added  greatly  to  my  comfort  and  delight, 
since  this  I  knew  must  be  the  opposite  shore  of  Terra 
Firma  or  the  Main,  and  this  great  body  of  water  the 
Gulf  of  Darien  itself.     And  so  came  night. 

All  next  day  I  followed  the  coast,  keeping  the  sea 
upon  my  left,  looking  for  some  such  landlocked  har- 
bourage with  its  clifF  shaped  like  a  lion's  head  as  Adam 
had  described,  yet  though  I  was  at  great  pains  (and 
no  small  risk  to  my  neck)  to  peer  down  into  every  bay 
I  came  upon,  nowhere  did  I  discover  any  such  bay 
or  cliff  as  bore  out  his  description ;  thus  night  found 
me  eager  to  push  on,  yet  something  despondent  and 
very  weary.  So  I  lighted  my  fire  and  ate  my  supper, 
harassed  by  a  growing  dread  lest  I  was  come  too  far 
to  the  east,  after  all. 

And  presently  up  came  the  moon  in  glory;  indeed, 
never  do  I  remember  seeing  it  so  vivid  bright,  its  radi- 
ance flashing  back  from  the  waters  far  below  and 
showing  tree  and  bush  and  precipitous  cliff,  very  sharp 
and  clear.  Upon  my  left,  as  I  sat,  the  jagged  coast 
line  curved  away  out  to  sea,  forming  thus  the  lofty 
headland  I  had  traversed  scarce  an  hour  since,  that  rose 


30O    ^lania  Cooisby's  \'eiigeaiice 


waters,  a  riTise.  sh^-ct^-ess 


~—  1-^  r  a  ptacc  I  bigaa  * 


-   ""T- 


CtSE 


as  I  4- -  :  - 


t:  ■  '  r      i '  :    v  - '  aer  witk 


How  I  Found  My  Beloved  at  Last  301 

and  scorched  by  fire,  her  timbers  rent  and  scarred  by 
shot,  I  knew  this  fire-blackened,  shattered  wreck  would 
never  sail  again.  And  now  as  I  viewed  this  dismal 
ruin,  I  prayed  this  might  be  some  strange  ship  rather 
than  that  I  had  come  so  far  a-seeking  and,  so  praying, 
waded  out  beneath  her  lofty  stem  (the  tide  being  low) 
and,  gazing  up,  read  as  much  of  her  name  as  the 
searing  fire  had  left:  viz: 

D  E  L  .  .  .  .  A  N  C  E 

And  hereupon,  knowing  her  indeed  for  Adam's  ship, 
I  took  to  wandering  round  about  her,  gazing  idly  up 
at  this  pitiful  ruin,  until  there  rushed  upon  me  the 
realisation  of  what  all  this  meant.  Adam  was  dead 
or  prisoner,  and  my  dear  lady  lost  to  me  after  all; 
my  coming  was  too  late. 

And  now  a  great  sickness  took  me,  my  strength 
deserted  me  and,  groaning,  I  sank  upon  the  sand  and 
lying  thus,  yearned  amain  for  death.  Then  I  heard 
a  sound,  and  lifting  heavy  head,  beheld  one  who  stood 
upon  the  bulwark  above  me,  holding  on  by  a  backstay 
with  one  hand  and  pistol  levelled  down  at  me  in  the 
other.  And  beholding  this  slender,  youthful  figure 
thus  outlined  against  the  moon,  the  velvet  coat  brave 
with  silver  lace,  the  ruffles  at  throat  and  wrist,  the 
silken  stockings  and  buckled  shoes,  I  knew  myself 
surely  mad,  for  this  I  saw  was  Joanna— alive  and 
breathing. 

"Shoot  1"  I  cried.  "Death  has  reft  from  me  all  I 
loved— sheet!" 

"Martin !"  cried  she,  and  down  came  the  pistol  well- 
nigh  upon  me  where  I  lay.  "Oh,  dear,  kind  God,  'tis 
Martin !" 

"Joan?"   said  I,  wondering.      "Damaris — ^beloved!" 

I  was  on  my  feet  and,  heaving  myself  up  by  means 
of  the  tangle  of  gear  that  hung  from  the  ship's  lofty 
side,  I  sprang  upon  the  deck  and  fell  on  my  knees  to 


302    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

clasp  this  lovely,  trembling  youth  in  my  hungry  arms, 
my  head  bowed  against  this  tender  woman's  body,  lest 
she  see  how  I  wept  out  of  pure  joy  and  thankfulness. 
But  now  she  raised  my  head,  and  thus  I  saw  her  weep- 
ing also,  felt  her  tears  upon  my  face ;  and  now  she  was 
laughing  albeit  she  wept  still,  her  two  hands  clasping 
me  to  her. 

"Such  a  great — fierce — wild  man!"  she  sobbed;  and 
then:  "My  man!"  and  stooping,  she  kissed  me  on  the 
lips.  But  as  for  me,  I  could  but  gaze  up  at  her  in 
rapture  and  never  a  word  to  say.  Then  she  was  on 
her  knees  before  me  and  thus  we  knelt  in  each  other's 
fast  clasping  arms.  "Oh,  Martin!"  said  she.  "Oh, 
loved  Martin — God  hath  answered  my  ceaseless 
prayers !" 

And  now  when  she  would  have  voiced  to  Him  her 
gratitude,  I  must  needs  crush  her  upon  my  heart  to 
look  down  into  this  flushed  and  tear-wet  face  that  held 
for  me  the  beauty  of  all  the  world  and  to  kiss  away  hei- 
prayers  and  breath  together,  yet  even  so  did  she  returik 
my  kisses. 

At  last  we  arose  but  had  gone  scarce  a  step  when 
we  were  in  each  other's  arms  again,  to  stand  thus  fast 
clasped  together,  for  I  almost  dreaded  she  might 
vanish  again  and  feared  to  let  her  go. 

"We  have  been  parted  so  cruelly— so  often !"  said  I. 

"But  never  again,  my  Martin!" 

"No,  by  God!"  quoth  I  fervently.  "Not  even 
death " 

"Not  even  death!"  said  she. 

And  thus  we  remained  a  great  while,  wandering  to 
and  fro  upon  the  weather-beaten  deck,  very  silent  for 
the  most  part,  being  content  with  each  other's  near- 
ness and,  for  myself,  merely  to  behold  her  loveliness 
was  joy  unutterable. 

She  brought  me  into  Adam's  great  cabin  under  the 
poop,  lighted   by   a   great   swinging   silver  lamp,   its 


How  I  Found  My  Beloved  at  Last  303 

stem  windows  carefully  shaded,  lest  any  see  this 
betraying  beam;  and  standing  amid  all  the  luxury  of 
tapestried  hangings  and  soft  carpets,  I  felt  myself 
mighty  strange  and  out  of  place ;  and  presently,  catch- 
ing sight  of  myself  in  one  of  the  mirrors,  I  stood  all 
abashed  to  behold  the  unlovely  object  I  was  in  my  rough 
and  weather-stained  garments,  my  face  burned  nigh 
black  by  the  sun  ajid  all  set  about  in  a  tangle  of  wild 
hair  and  ragged  b^ard. 

"Is  it  so  great  wonder  I  should  not  know  you  at 
f.rst,  dear  Martin,  and  you  so  wild  and  fierce-seeming?" 

"Indeed  I  am  an  ill  spectacle,"  quoth  I;  at  this, 
beholding  me  thus  rueful,  she  fell  to  kissing  me, 
whereat  I  did  but  miscall  myself  the  more,  telling  her 
'twas  great  marvel  she  should  love  one  so  ill-matched 
with  her;  for,  said  I,  "here  are  you  beautiful  beyond 
all  women,  and  here  stand  I,  of  manners  most  uncouth, 
harsh-featured,  slow  of  tongue,  dull-witted,  and  one 
you  have  seldom  seen  but  in  sorry  rags !" 

"Oh,  my  dearest  heart,"  said  she,  nestling  but  closer 
in  my  embrace,  "here  is  long  catalogue  and  'tis  for  each 
and  every  I  do  love  you  infinitely  more  than  you  do 
guess,  and  for  this  beside — because  you  are  Martin 
Conisby  that  I  have  loved,  do  love,  and  shall  love  always 
and  ever!" 

"And  there's  the  marVel!"  quoth  I,  kissing  her 
bowed  head. 

"And  vou  do  think  me — very  beautiful,  Martin?" 

"Aye,  i  do." 

"Even  clad — in  these — these  things?"  she  ques- 
tioned, not  looking  at  me. 

"Aye,  truly !" 

"I  had  not  meant  you  to  see  me  thus,  Martin,  but 
it  was  my  custom  to  watch  for  your  coming,  and  'twas 
hard  to  climb  the  cliif  in  petticoats,  and  besides,  since 
I  have  been  alone,  there  was  so  much  to  do — and  it 
didn't  matter." 


304    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

"Aye,  but  how  came  you  alone,  what  of  Adam  and 
the  rest?" 

"Nay,  'tis  long  story." 

"But  why  are  you  thus  solitary,  you  that  do  so 
fear  solitude,  as  I  remember." 

"When  Adam  marched  away,  I  stayed  to  wait  for 
you,  Martin." 

"For  me?" 

"Yes,  Martin!" 

"Were  you  not  afraid?" 

"Often,"  said  she,  clasping  me  tighter,  "but  you 
are  come  at  last,  so  are  my  fears  all  past  and  done. 
And,  more  than  the  loneliness  I  feared  lest  you  should 
come  and  find  this  poor  ship  all  deserted,  and  lose 
hope  and  faith  in  God's  mercy." 

"Oh,  my  brave,  sweet  soul!"  said  I,  falling  on  my 
knees  to  kiss  her  hands.  "Oh,  God  love  you  for  this — 
had  I  found  you  not,  I  should  have  dreamed  you  dead 
and  died  myself,  cursing  God." 

"Ah  hush,"  said  she,  closing  my  lips  with  her  sweev 
fingers.  "Rather  will  we  bless  Him  all  our  days  for 
giving  us  such  a  love!" 

And  now  having  no  will  or  thought  to  sleep,  she  sets 
about  preparing  supper,  while  I  with  scissors,  razors, 
etc.  (that  she  had  brought  at  my  earnest  entreaty), 
began  to  rid  my  face  of  its  shaggy  hair,  and  busied  with 
my  razor,  must  needs  turn  ever  and  anon  for  blessed 
sight  of  her  where  she  flitted  lightly  to  and  fro,  she 
bidding  me  take  heed  lest  I  cut  myself.  Cut  m3^self  I 
did  forthwith,  and  she,  beholding  the  blood,  must  come 
running  to  staunch  it  and  it  no  more  than  a  merest 
nick.  And  now,  seeing  her  thus  tender  of  me  who  had 
endured  so  many  hurts  and  none  to  grieve  or  soothe, 
I  came  very  near  weeping  for  pure  joy. 

And  now  as  she  bustled  to  and  fro,  she  fell  silent 
and  oft  I  caught  her  viewing  me  wistfully,  and  once 
or  twice  she  made  as  to   speak  yet  did  not,  and  I, 


How  I  Found  My  Beloved  at  Last)  305 

guessing  what  she  would  say,  would  have  told  her, 
yet  could  think  of  no  gentle  way  of  breaking  the 
matter,  ponder  how  I  might,  and  in  the  end  blurted 
out  the  bald  truth,  very  sudden  and  fool-like,  as  you 
shall  hear.  For,  at  last,  supper  being  over  (and  we 
having  eaten  very  little  and  no  eyes  for  our  food  or 
aught  in  the  world  save  each  other)  my  lady  questioned 
me  at  last. 

"Dear  Martin,  what  of  my  father?" 

*'Why,  first,"  said  I,  avoiding  her  eyes,  "he  is  dead !" 

"Yes!"  said  she  faintly,  "this  I  guessed." 

"He  died  nobly  like  the  brave  gentleman  he  was. 
I  buried  him  in  the  wilderness,  where  flowers  bloomed, 
three  days'  march  back." 

"In  the  wilderness?"  says  she  a  little  breatlilessly. 
"But  he  was  in  prison!" 

"Aye,  'twas  there  I  found  him.  But  we  escaped  by 
the  unselfish  bravery  and  kindness  of  Don  Federigo. 
So  together  we  set  out  to  find  you." 

"Together,  Martin?" 

"Yes,  and  he  very  cheery,  despite  his  sufferings." 

"Sufferings,  Martin?" 

"He — he  halted  somewhat  in  his  walk " 

"Nay,  he  was  strong,  as  I  remember — ah,  you  mean 
they — had  tortured  him " 

"Aye,"  said  I,  dreading  to  see  her  grief.  "Yet 
despite  their  devilish  cruelties,  he  rose  triumphant 
above  agony  of  body,  thereby  winning  to  a  great  and 
noble  manhood,  wherefore  I  loved  and  honoured  him 
beyond  all  men " 

"He  was — your  enemy " 

"He  was  my  friend,  that  comforted  me  when  I  was 
greatly  afraid;  he  was  my  companion  amid  the  perils 
of  our  cruel  journey,  calm  and  undismayed,  imcom- 
plaining,  brave,  and  unselfish  to  his  last  breath,  so 
needs  mi**t  I  cherish  his  memory." 

"Martin!"    Lifting  my  head  I  saw  she  was  looking 


3o6     Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

at  me,  her  vivid  lips  quivering,  her  eyes  all  radiant 
despite  their  tears,  and  then,  or  ever  I  might  prevent, 
she  was  kneeling  to  me,  had  caught  m}^  hand  and  kissed 
it  passionately. 

"Oh,  man  that  I  love — you  that  learned  to — ^love 
your  enem}^" 

"Nay,  my  Damaris,  'twas  he  that  taught  me  how  to 
love  him,  'twas  himself  slew  my  hatred !" 

And  now,  drawing  her  to  my  heart,  I  told  her  much 
of  Sir  Richard's  indomitable  spirit  and  bravery,  how 
in  my  blind  haste  I  would  march  him  until  he  sank 
swooning  by  the  wa}^  of  our  fightings  and  sufferings 
and  he  ever  serene  and  undismayed.  I  told  of  how  we 
had  talked  of  her  beside  our  camp  fires  and  how,  dying, 
he  had  bid  me  tell  her  he  had  ever  loved  her  better  than 
he  had  let  her  guess,  and  bethinking  me  of  his  letter 
at  last,  I  gave  it  to  her.  But  instead  of  reading  it, 
she  put  this  letter  In  her  pocket. 

"Come,"  said  she,  "  'tis  near  the  dawn,  and  you 
weary  with  your  joume}^,  'tis  time  you  were  abed." 
And  when  I  vowed  I  was  not  sleepy,  she  took  my  hand 
(as  I  had  been  a  child)  and  bringing  me  into  that  had 
been  Adam's  cabin,  showed  me  his  bed  all  pre- 
pared. "It  hath  waited  for  these  many  weeks,  dear 
Martin!"  said  she,  smoothing  the  pillows  with  gentle 
hand. 

"But  we  have  so  much  to  tell  each  other " 

"To-morrow !" 

Hereupon  she  slipped  past  me  to  the  door  and  stood 
there  to  shake  admonishing  finger: 

"Sleep !"  said  she,  nodding  her  lovely  head  mighty 
determined,  "and  scowl  not,  naughty  child,  I  shall  be 
near  you — to — to  mother  you — nay,  come  and  see  for 
yourself."  So  saying,  she  took  my  hand  again  and 
brought  me  into  the  next  cabin,  a  fragrant  nest,  dainty- 
sweet  as  herself,  save  that  in  the  panelling  above  her 
bed  she  had  driven  two  nails  where  hung  a  brace  of 


How  I  Found  My  Beloved  at  Last  307 

pistols.  Seeing  m}^  gaze  on  these,  she  shivered  suddenly 
and  nestled  into  my  arm. 

**0h,  Martin,"  said  she,  her  face  hid  against  me, 
*'one  night  I  seemed  to  hear  a  foot  that  crept  on  the 
deck  above,  and  I  thought  I  should  have  died  with  fear. 
So  I  kept  these  ever  after,  one  for — them,  and  the 
other  for  myself." 

"And  all  this  you  endured  for  my  sake!"  quoth  I. 

"And  God  hath  sent  you  safe  to  me,  dear  ^Martin, 
to  take  care  of  me,  so  am  I  safe  with  nought  to  fright 
or  harm  me  henceforth." 

"Nothing  under  heaven,"  quoth  I.  Very  gingerly 
she  took  down  the  pistols  and  gave  them  to  me  and, 
bringing  me  to  the  door,  kissed  me. 

"Good  night,  dear  heart!"  said  she  softly.  "God 
send  you  sweet  dreams  I" 

Thus  came  I  back  to  my  cabin  and  laying  by  the 
pistols,  got  me  to  bed,  and  mighty  luxurious,  what  with 
these  sheets  and  pillows,  and  yet,  or  ever  I  had  fully 
appreciated  the  unwonted  comfort,  I  was  asleep. 

I  waked  to  the  sudden  clasp  of  her  soft  arms  and 
a  tear-wet  cheek  against  mine,  and  opening  my  eyes, 
saw  her  kneeling  by  my  bed  in  the  grey  dawn. 

"Oh,  loved  Martin,"  said  she,  "I  love  you  more  than 
I  guessed  because  you  are  greater  than  I  dreamed — 
my  father's  letter  hath  told  me  so  much  of  you — your 
goodness  to  your  enemy — how  you  wiped  away  his 
tears,  ministered  to  his  hurts,  carried  him  in  your 
arms.  I  have  read  it  but  now  and — 'tis  tale  so  noble 
— so  wonderful,  that  needs  must  I  come  to  tell  you  I 
do  love  you  so  much — so  much.    And  now " 

"You  are  mine !"  said  I,  gathering  her  in  my  arms. 
"Mine  lor  alway." 

"Yes,  dear  Martin!  But  because  I  am  yours  so 
utterly,  you  will  be  gentle  with  me — patient  a  little 
and  forbearing  to  a — very  foolish  maid " 

For  answer  I  loosed  her,  whereupon  she  caught  my 


3o8    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

hand  to  press  it  to  her  tender  cheek,  her  quivering 
lips. 

"Oh,  Martin !"  she  whispered.     "For  this  needs  must 
I  worship  thee!'*    And  so  was  gone. 


CHAPTER  XXXin 

Of  Dreams 

I  "WAKED  marvellous  refreshed  and  full  of  a  great 
joy  to  hear  her  sweet  singing  and  the  light  tread  of 
her  foot  going  to  and  fro  in  the  great  cabin,  where 
she  was  setting  out  a  meal,  as  I  guessed  by  the  tinkle 
of  platters,  etc.,  the  which  homely  sound  reminded  me 
that  I  was  vastly  hungry.  Up  I  sprang  to  a  glory 
of  sun  flooding  in  at  shattered  window  and  the  jagged 
rent  where  a  round-shot  had  pierced  the  stout  timber- 
ing above ;  and  having  washed  and  bathed  me  as  well  as 
I  might,  found  my  lady  had  replaced  my  ragged, 
weather-stained  garments  by  others  chosen  from  the 
ship's  stores.  And  so  at  last  forth  I  stepped  into  the 
great  cabin,  eager  for  sight  of  my  dear  lady,  albeit 
somewhat  conscious  of  my  new  clothes  and  hampered 
by  their  tightness. 

"Indeed,"  said  she,  holding  me  off,  the  better  to 
examine  me,  "I  do  find  you  something  better-looking 
than  you  were!" 

"Na}^,  but  I  am  burned  browner  than  any  Indian." 

"This  but  maketh  your  eyes  the  bluer,  Martin. 
And  then  you  are  changed  besides — so  much  more 
gentle — kindlier — the  man  I  dreamed  you  might 
become "    Here  I  kissed  her. 

"And  you,"  said  I,  "my  Damaris  that  I  have  ever 
loved  and  shall  do,  you  are  more  beautiful  than  my 
dream  of  you " 

"Am  I,  Martin — in  spite  of  these  things?" 


310    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

**Indeed,"  said  I  heartily,  "they  do  but  reveal  to 
me  so  much  of " 

Here  she  kissed  me  and  brought  me  to  the  table. 
Now,  seeing  her  as  she  sat  thus  beside  me,  I  started  and 
stared,  well-nigh  open-mouthed. 

"What  now?"  she  questioned. 

"Your  hairl" 

"  'Twill  grow  again,  Martin.  But  why  must  you 
stare?" 

"Because  when  you  look  and  turn  so,  and  your  hair 
short  on  your  shoulders,  you  are  marvellously  like  to 
Joanna."  Now  at  this,  seeing  how  my  lady  shrank 
and  turned  from  me,  I  could  have  cursed  my  foolish 
tongue. 

"What  of  her,  Martin?" 

"She  is  dead!"  And  here  I  described  how  bravely 
Joanna  had  met  Death  standing,  and  her  arms  out- 
stretched to  the  infinite.  When  I  had  done,  my  lady 
was  silent,  as  expecting  more,  and  her  head  still 
averted. 

"And  is  this — all?"  she  questioned  at  last. 

"Yes  !"  said  I.     "Yes !" 

"Yet  you  do  not  tell  me  of  the  cruel  wrong  she 
did  you — and  me!     You  do  not  say  she  lied  of  you." 

"She  is  dead!"  said  I.  "And  very  nobly,  as  I  do 
think!" 

Hereupon  my  lady  rose  and  going  into  her  cabin, 
was  back  all  in  a  moment  and  unfolding  a  paper,  set 
it  before  me.  "This,"  said  she,  "I  found  after  you 
were  fled  the  ship !"  Opening  this  paper,  I  saw  there, 
very  boldly  writ : 

"I  lied  about  him  and  'twas  a  notable  lie,  notably 
spoke.  Martino  is  not  like  ordinary  men  and  so  it  is  I 
do  most  truly  love  him — yes — for  always.  So  do  I 
take  him  for  mine  now,  so  shall  lie  become  truth,  may- 
hap. "Joanna." 


Of  Dreams  3" 

And  even  as  I  refolded  this  letter,  my  lady's  arms 
were  about  me,  her  lovely  head  upon  my  shoulder: 

"Dear,"  said  she,  "  'twas  like  you  to  speak  no  harsh 
thing  of  the  dead.  And  she  gave  you  back  to  me  with 
her  life — so  needs  must  I  love  her  memory  for  this." 

And  so  we  presently  got  to  our  breakfast, — sweet, 
white  bread  new-baked,  with  divers  fish  she  had  caught 
that  morning  whiles  I  slept.  And  surely  never  was 
meal  more  joyous,  the  sun  twinkling  on  Adam's  silver 
and  cut  glass,  and  my  lady  sweeter  and  more  radiant 
than  the  mom  in  all  the  vigour  of  her  glowing  beauty. 

Much  we  talked  and  much  she  said  that  I  would  fain 
set  down,  since  there  is  nothing  about  her  that  is  not 
a  joy  to  me  to  dwell  upon,  yet  lest  I  weary  my  readers 
with  overmuch  of  lovers'  talk,  I  will  only  set  down  all 
she  now  told  me  concerning  Adam. 

"For  here  were  we,  Martin,"  said  my  lady,  "our 
poor  ship  much  wounded  with  her  many  battles  and 
beset  by  a  storm  so  that  we  all  gave  ourselves  up  for 
lost;  even  Adam  confessed  he  could  do  no  more,  and 
I  very  woful  because  I  must  die  away  from  you,  yet 
the  storm  drove  us  by  good  hap  into  these  waters,  and 
next  day,  the  wind  moderating,  we  began  to  hope  we 
might  make  this  anchorage,  though  the  ship  was  dread- 
tully  a-leak,  and  all  night  and  all  day  I  would  hear 
the  dreadful  clank  of  the  pumps  always  at  work.  And 
thus  at  last,  to  our  great  rejoicing,  we  saw  this  land 
ahead  of  us  that  was  to  be  our  salvation.  But  as 
we  drew  nearer  our  rejoicing  changed  to  dismay  to 
behold  three  ships  betwixt  us  and  this  refuge.  So  Sir 
Adam  decided  to  fight  his  way  through  and  sailed  down 
upon  these  three  ships  accordingly.  And  presently  we 
were  among  them  and  the  battle  began,  and  very 
dreadful,  what  with  the  smoke  and  shouting  and  noise 
of  guns " 

"Ah  I"  cried  I.  "And  did  not  Adam  see  you  safely 
below?"       • 


312     Martin  Comsby's  Vengeance 

"To  be  sure,  Martin,  but  I  stole  up  again  and  found 
iiim  something  hurt  by  a  splinter  jet  very  happy 
because  Godby  had  shot  away  one  of  the  enemy's 
masts  and  nobody  hurt  but  himself,  and  so  we  won 
past  these  ships  for  all  their  shooting,  and  I  bound 
up  Adam's  hurt  where  he  stood  conning  the  ship, 
shouting  orders  and  bidding  me  below,  all  in  a  breath. 
But  now  Cometh  Amos  Marsh,  the  carpenter,  running, 
to  say  the  enemy's  shot  had  widened  our  leaks  and  the 
water  gaining  upon  the  pumps  beyond  recovery  and 
that  we  were  sinking.  'How  long  will  she  last?'  said 
Adam,  staring  at  the  two  ships  that  were  close  behind, 
and  still  shooting  at  us  now  and  then.  'An  hour. 
Captain,  maybe  less !'  said  the  carpenter.  '  'Twill 
serve,'  said  Adam,  in  his  quiet  voice.  'Do  you  and 
your  lads  stand  to  the  pumps,  and  we  will  be  safe 
ashore  within  the  hour.  But  mark  me,  if  any  man 
turn  laggard  or  faint-hearted,  shoot  that  man,  but 
pump  your  best,  Amos — away  \\d'  you !'  " 

"Aye,"  quoth  I,  clasping  tighter  the  hand  I  held, 
"that  was  like  Adam;  'tis  as  I  had  heard  him  speak., 
And  you  in  such  dire  peril  of  death,  my  be 
loved " 

"Why,  Martin,  I  did  not  fear  or  grieve  very  much, 
for  methought  you  were  lost  to  me  forever  in  this  life 
perchance,  but  in  the  next " 

"This  and  the  next  I  do  pray  God,"  quoth  I,  and 
kissed  her  till  she  bade  me  leave  her  breath  for  her 
story.  The  which  she  presently  did  something  as 
f  olioweth : 

"And  now,  whiles  Godby  and  his  chosen  gunners 
plied  our  stern  cannons,  firing  very  fast  and  furious, 
Adam  calls  for  volunteers  to  set  more  sail  and  himself 
was  first  aloft  for  all  his  wounded  arm " 

"And  where  were  you?" 

"Giving  water  to  Godby  and  his  men,  for  they  were 
parched.     And  presently  back  cometh  Adam,  panting 


Of  Dreams  313 

with  his  exertions.  *God  send  no  spars  carry  away,' 
quoth  he,  *and  we  must  lay  alongside  the  nearest  Span- 
iard and  board.'  *  'Tis  desperate  venture,'  said 
Godby,  Hhey  be  great  ships  and  full  o'  Dons.'  *Aye,' 
said  Adam,  'but  we  are  Englishmen  and  desperate.' 
And  so  we  stood  on,  Martin,  and  these  great  ships 
after  us,  and  even  our  own  poor  ship  lying  lower  and 
lower  in  the  water,  until  I  looked  to  see  it  sink  under 
us  and  go  down  altogether.  But  at  last  we  reached 
this  bay  and  none  too  soon,  for  to  us  cometh  Amos 
Marsh,  all  wet  and  woebegone  with  labour,  to  say  the 
ship  was  going.  But  nothing  heeding,  Adam  took  the 
helm,  shouting  to  him  to  let  fly  braces,  and  with  our 
sails  all  shivering  we  ran  aground,  just  as  she  lies  now, 
poor  thing.  While  I  lay  half-stunned  with  the  fall, 
for  the  shock  of  grounding  had  thrown  me  down,  Adam 
commanded  every  one  on  shore  with  muskets  and  pis- 
tols, so  I  presently  found  myself  running  across  the 
sands  'twixt  Adam  and  Godby^  nor  stayed  we  till  we 
reached  the  cliff  yonder,  where  are  many  caves  very 
wonderful,  as  I  will  show  you,  Martin.  And  then  I 
saw  the  reason  of  this  haste,  for  the  greatest  Spanish 
ship  was  turning  to  bring  her  whole  broadside  to  bear, 
and  so  began  to  shoot  off  all  their  cannon,  battering 
our  poor  ship  as  you  see.  Then  came  Spaniards  in 
boats  with  fire  to  bum  it,  but  our  men  shot  so  many 
of  these  that  although  they  set  the  ship  on  fire,  yet 
they  did  it  so  hastily  because  of  our  shooting  that  once 
they  were  gone,  the  fire  was  quickly  put  out.  But  the 
ship  was  beyond  repair  which  greatly  disheartened  us 
all,  save  only  Adam,  who  having  walked  around  the 
wreck  and  examined  her,  chin  in  hand,  summoned  all 
men  to  a  council  on  the  beach.  'Look  now,  my  com- 
rades,' said  he  (as  well  as  I  remember,  Martin),  'we 
have  fought  a  sinking  ship  so  long  as  we  might,  and 
here  we  lie  driven  ashore  in  a  hostile  country  but  we 
have  only  one  killed  and  five  injured,  which  is  good; 


314    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

but  we  are  Englishmen,  which  is  better  and  bad  to  beat. 
Well,  then,  shall  we  stay  here  sucking  our  thumbs? 
Shall  we  set  about  building  another  vessel  and  the 
enemy  come  upon  us  before  'tis  done?  Shall  we 
despair?  Not  us!  We  stand  a  hundred  and  thirty 
and  two  men,  and  every  man  a  proved  and  seasoned 
fighter;  so  will  we,  being  smitten  thus,  forthwith  smite 
back,  and  smite  where  the  enemy  will  least  expect. 
We'll  march  overland  on  Carthagena — I  know  it  well 
— fall  on  ^em  in  the  dead  hush  o'  night,  surprise  their 
fort,  spike  their  guns  and  down  to  the  harbour  for  a 
ship.  Here's  our  vessel  a  wreck — we'll  have  one  of 
theirs  in  place.  So,  comrades  all,  who's  for  Cartha- 
gena along  with  me ;  who's  for  a  Spanish  ship  and  Old 
England?'" 

^Why,  then,'*  cried  I,  amazed,  "my  dream  was  true. 
They  have  marched  across  country  on  Cartha- 
gena  " 

"Yes,  Martin,  but  what  dream ?" 

"With  four  gui  s  mounted  on  wheels?" 

"Yes,  Martin;  they  built  four  gun-carriages  to 
Adam's  design.     But  what  of  your  dream?'* 

So  I  told  her  of  Atlamatzin  and  the  visions  I  had 
beheld;  "and  I  saw  you  also,  my  loved  Joan;  aye,  as 
I  do  remember,  you  knelt  on  the  deck  above,  praying 
and  with  your  arms  reached  out ^" 

"Why,  so  I  did  often — one  night  in  especial,  I 
remember,  weeping  and  calling  to  you,  for  I  was  very 
fearful  and — lonely,  dear  Martin.  And  that  night,  I 
remember,  I  dreamed  I  saw  you,  your  back  leaned  to 
a  great  rock  as  you  were  very  weary,  and  staring  into 
a  fire,  sad-eyed  and  desolate.  Across  your  knees  was 
your  gun  and  all  around  you  a  dark  and  dismal  forest, 
and  I  3^earned  to  come  to  you  and  could  not,  and  so 
watched  and  lay  to  weep  anew. — Oh,  dear,  loved 
Martin!" 

Here  she  turned,  her  eyes  dark  with  remembered 


Of  Dreams  3I5 

sorrow,  wherefore  I  took  and  lifted  her  to  my  knee, 
holding  her  thus  close  upon  my  heart. 

"Tell  me,"  said  I  after  some  while,  "when  Adam 
marched  on  his  desperate  venture,  did  he  name  any 
day  for  his  likely  return?" 

"Yes,  Martin*!" 

"And  when  was  that?" 

"  'Twas  the  day  you  came." 

"Then  he  is  already  late,"  quoth  I.^  "And  he  was 
ever  mighty  careful  and  exact  in  his  calculations. 
'Tis  an  adventure  so  daring  as  few  would  have 
attempted,  saving  only  our  'timid'  Adam.  And  how 
if  he  never  returns,  my  Damaris — how  then?" 

"Ah,  then — we  have  each  other  1"  said  she. 

"And  therein  is  vast  comfort  and — for  me  great 
joy!"  quoth  L 


CHAPTER  XXXIV 
Of  Love 

My  first  care  was  to  see  how  we  stood  in  regard  to 
stores,  more  especially  powder  and  shot  great  and 
small,  the  which  I  found  sufficient  and  to  spare,  as  also 
divers  weapons,  as  muskets,  pistols,  hangers,  etc. 
The  more  I  thought,  the  more  I  was  determined  to  put 
the  ship  into  as  good  a  posture  of  defence  as  might 
be,  since  I  judged  it  likely  the  Spaniards  might  pay  us 
a  visit  soon  or  late,  or  mayhap  some  chance  band  of 
hostile  Indians.  To  this  end  and  with  great  exertion, 
by  means  of  lever  and  tackle,  I  hauled  inboard  her 
four  great  stern-chase  guns,  at  the  which  labour  my 
lady  chancing  to  find  me,  falls  to  work  beside  me  right 
merrily. 

"Why,  Martin,"  said  she,  when  the  four  pieces  stood 
ready  to  hand,  "I  have  seen  five  men  strain  hard  to 
move  one  of  these;  indeed  you  must  be  marvellous 
strong." 

At  this  I  grew  so  foolishly  pleased  that  I  fell  to 
charging  these  pieces  amain,  lest  she  should  see  aught 
of  this. 

"Strong,  great  men  be  usually  the  gentlest,"  said 
she. 

"And  generally  thick-skulled  and  dull-witted!" 
quoth  I. 

"Are  you  so  dull-witted,  my  Martin?" 

"Ah,  Damaris,  my  sweet  Joan,  when  I  think  on  all 
the  wasted  tears " 

"Not  wasted,  Martin,  no,  not  one,  since  each  hath 
but  helped  to  make  the  man  I  do  so  love/ 


>» 


Of  Love  317 

"That  you  should  so  love  me  is  the  abiding  won- 
der. I  am  no  m.an  o'  the  world  and  with  no  fine-gen- 
tlemanly graces,  alas !    I  am  a  simple  fellow  and  nought 

to  show  for  his  years  of  life " 

"Wherefore  so  humble,  poor  man?  You  that  were 
so  proud  and  savage  in  England  and  must  burst  open 
gates  and  beat  my  ser^^ants  and  fright  me  in  my  cham- 
ber  '' 

"Aye,  I  was  brute  indeed !"  said  I,  sittmg  down  and 
clean  forgetting  my  guns  in  sudden  dejection. 

"And  so  gloomy  with  me  on  the  island  at  the  first 
and  then  something  harsh,  and  then  very  wild  and 
masterful;  do  you  remember  you  would  kiss  me  and 
I  would  not — and  struggled — so  desperately — and 
vainly — and  was  compelled?" 

"Oh,  vile !"  said  I.  "You  so  lonely  and  helpless,  and 
I  would  have  forced  you  to  my  base  will." 

"And  did  not,  Martin !  Because  yours  was  a  noble 
love.  So  is  the  memory  of  our  dear  island  unutter- 
ably sweet." 

"Indeed  and  is  this  so?"  quoth  I,  lifting  my  head. 
"Beyond  all  expression!"  said  she  a  little  breath- 
lessly and  her  eyes  very  bright.  "Ah,  did  you  not  know 
— whatever  you  did,  'twas  you — that  I  loved.  And, 
dear  Martin,  at  your  fiercest,  you  were  ever— so  in- 
nocent !" 

"Innocent!"  quoth  I,  wondering.  And  now  her 
clear  gaze  wavered,  her  cheek  flushed,  and  all  in  a  mo- 
ment she  was  beside  me  on  her  knees,  her  face  hid 
against  me  and  speaking  quick  and  low  and  passionate. 
"I  am  a  very  woman — and  had  loved  for  all  my 
life — and  there  were  times — on  the  island  when — ^I, 
too — oh,  dear  Martin,  oft  in  tlie  night  the  sound  of 
your  steps  going  to  and  fro  without  our  cave — those 
restless  fe^t — seemed  to  tread  upon  my  heart !  I  loved 
these  fierce,  strong  arms,  even  whilst  I  struggled  in 
their  hold  I     A  man  of  the  world  would  have  known 


3i8    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

— taken  advantage.  But  you  never  guessed  because 
you  regarded  ever  the  highest  in  me.  So  would  I  have 
you  do  still — honouring  me  with  your  patience — a  lit- 
tle longer — until  Adam  be  come  again,  or  until  we 
be  sure  he  hath  perished  and  England  beyond  our 
reach.  Thus,  dear,  I  have  confessed  my  very  secret 
soul  to  thee  and  lie  here  in  thy  merciful  care  even  more 
than  I  did  on  our  island,  since  I  do  love  thee — greatly 
better!     Therefore,   be   not   so — infinite  humble!" 

Here  for  a  while  I  was  silent,  being  greatly  moved 
and  finding  no  word  to  say.  At  last,  clasping  her  ten- 
der loveliness  to  me,  and  stooping  to  kiss  this  so  loved 
head: 

"Dear,  my  lady,"  said  I,  "thou  art  to  me  the  sweet- 
est, holiest  thing  in  all  the  world,  and  so  shalt  thou 
ever  be." 

Some  time  after,  having  put  all  things  in  excellent 
posture  to  our  defence,  viz:  our  four  great  pieces  full- 
charged  astern,  with  four  lighter  guns  and  divers 
pateraros  ranged  to  sweep  the  quarter-deck,  forecastle 
and  all  approaches  thereto,  I  felt  my  precious  charge 
more  secure  and  myself  (seconded  by  her  brave  spirit) 
able  to  withstand  well-nigh  any  chance  attack,  so  long 
as  our  powder  and  shot  held. 

This  done,  I  brought  hammer,  nails,  etc.,  from  the 
carpenter's  stores  and  set  myself  to  mend  such  shot- 
holes,  cracks,  and  rents  in  the  panelling  and  the  like 
as  I  judged  would  incommode  us  in  wind  or  rain,  and 
while  I  did  this  (and  whistling  cheerily)  needs  must 
I  stay  ever  and  anon  to  watch  my  sweet  soul  busy  at 
her  cookery  (and  mighty  savoury  dishes)  and  she 
pause  ta  look  on  me,  until  we  must  needs  run  to  kiss 
each  other  and  so  to  our  several  labours  again. 

For  now  indeed  came  I  to  know  a  happiness  so  calm 
and  deep,  so  much  greater  than  I  had  ventured  to  hope 
that  often  I  would  be  seized  of  panic  dread  lest  aught 
came  to  snatch  it  from  me.     Thus  lived  we,  joying 


Of  Love  319 

in  each  hour,  busied  with  such  daily  duties  as  came  to 
hand,  yet  I  for  one  finding  these  labours  sweet  by  rea- 
son of  her  that  shared  them;  yet  ever  our  love  grew 
and  we  ever  more  happy  in  each  other's  companionship. 

And  here  I,  that  by  mine  own  folly  of  stubborn  pride 
had  known  so  little  of  content  and  the  deep  and  rest- 
ful joy  of  it ;  here,  I  say,  greatly  tempted  am  I  to  dwell 
and  enlarge  upon  these  swift-fiying,  halcyon  days  whose 
memory  Time  cannot  wither;  I  would  paint  you  her 
changing  moods,  her  sweet  gravit}',  her  tender  serious- 
ness, her  pretty  rogueries,  her  demureness,  her  thou- 
sand winsome  tricks  of  gesture  and  expression,  the 
vital  ring  of  her  sweet  voice,  her  long-lashed  eyes,  the 
dimple  in  her  chin,  and  all  the  constant  charm  and  won- 
der of  her.  But  what  pen  could  do  the  sweet  soul 
justice,  what  word  describe  her  innumerable  graces? 
Surely  not  mine,  so  would  it  be  but  vain  labour  and 
mayhap,  to  you  who  take  up  this  book,  great  weari- 
ness to  read. 

So  I  will  pass  to  a  certain  night,  the  moon  flooding 
her  radiance  all  about  me  and  the  world  very  hushed 
and  still  with  nought  to  hear  save  the  murmurous  rip- 
ple and  soft  lapping  of  the  incoming  tide,  and  I  upon 
m>^  bed  (very  wakeful)  and  full  of  speculation  and  the 
problem  I  pondered  this:  Adam  (and  he  so  precise 
and  exact  in  all  things)  had  named  to  my  lady  a  day 
for  his  return,  which  day  was  already  long  past,  there- 
fore it  was  but  natural  to  suppose  his  desperate  ven- 
ture against  this  great  fortified  city  a  failure,  his 
hardy  fellows  scattered,  and  his  brave  self  either  slain 
or  a  prisoner.  What  then  of  our  situation,  my  dear 
lady's  and  mine,  left  thus  solitary  in  a  hostile  coun- 
try and  little  or  no  chance  of  ever  reaching  England, 
but  doomed  rather  to  seek  some  solitude  where  we 
might  live  secure  from  hostile  Indians  or  the  implac- 
able persecution  of  the  Spaniards.  Thus  we  must- 
live  alone  with  Nature  henceforth,  she  and  I  and  God. 


320    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

And  this  thought  filled  me  alternately  with  intoxicat- 
ing joy  for  my  own  sake,  since  all  I  sought  of  life 
was  this  loved  woman,  and  despair  for  her  sake,  since 
secretly  she  must  crave  all  those  refinements  of  life 
and  civilisation  as  had  become  of  none  account  to  my- 
self. And  if  Adam  were  slain  indeed  and  England 
thus  beyond  our  reach,  how  long  must  we  wait  to  be 
sure  of  this? 

Here  I  started  to  hear  my  lady  calling  me  softly: 

"Art  awake,  dear* Martin?" 

"Yes,  my  Joan!" 

"I  dreamed  myself  alone  again.  Oh,  'tis  good  to 
hear  your  voice!     Are  you  sleepy?" 

"No  whit." 

"Then  let  us  talk  awhile  as  we  used  sometimes  on 
our  loved  island." 

"Loved  you  it — so  greatly,  Joan?" 
'Beyond  any  place  in  the  world,  Martin." 

'Why,  then "  said  I  and  stopped,  lest  my  voice 

should  betray  the  sudden  joy  that  filled  me. 

"Go  on,  Martin." 

"  'Twas  nought." 

"Aye,  but  it  was !  You  said  *Why,  then.*  Prithee, 
dear  sir,  continue." 

Myself  (sitting  up  and  blinking  at  the  moon): 
Why,  then,  if  you — we — are — if  we  should  be  so  un- 
fortunate as  to  be  left  solitary  in  these  cruel  wilds 
and  no  hope  of  winning  back  to  England,  should  you 
grieve  therefor? 

She  (after  a  moment):     Should  you,  Martin? 

Myself  (mighty  fervently):     Aye,  indeed! 

She  (quickly):     Why,  Martin — ^pray  why? 

Myself  (clenching  my  fists):  For  that  we  should 
be  miserable  outcasts  cut  off  from  all  the  best  of  life. 

She:     The  best?     As  what,  Martin? 

Myself:  Civilisation  and  all  its  refinements,  all 
neighbourliness,  the  comforts  of  friendship,  all  secur- 


"] 
i6^ 


Of  Love  321 

ity,  all  laws,  and  instead  of  these — dangers,  hardship, 
and  solitude. 

She  (softly)  :  Aye,  this  methinks  should  break  our 
hearts.     Indeed,  Martin,  you  do  fright  me. 

Myself  (bitterly)  :  Why,  'tis  a  something  desolate 
possibility ! 

She  (dolefully):     And  alas,  Adam  cometh  not  I 

Myself :     Alas,  no ! 

She:     And  is  long  overdue. 

Myself:  He  marched  on  a  perilous  venture;  aye, 
mighty  hazardous  and  desperate. 

She:  Indeed,  dear  Martin,  so  desperate  that  I  do 
almost  pity  the  folk  of  Carthagena. 

Myself  (wondering)  :  Then  you  do  think  he  will 
succeed — will  come  sailing  back  one  day? 

She:  Yes,  Martin,  if  he  hath  to  sail  the  ship  back 
alone. 

Myself:     And  wherefore  believe  this? 

She:  I  know  not,  except  that  he  is  Adam  and  none 
like  to  him. 

Myself:  Yet  is  he  only  mortal,  to  be  captured  or 
slain  one  way  or  another.  How  if  he  cometh  never 
back? 

She:  Why  then,  Martin — needs  must  I  forego  all 
thought  of  England,  of  home,  of  the  comfortable  joys 
of  civilisation,  of  all  laws,  and  instead  of  all  these 
cleave  to  you — my  beloved! 

Myself :     Damaris ! 

She:  Oh,  Martin,  dear,  foolish  blunderer  to  dream 
3^ou  could  fright  me  with  tales  of  hardship,  or  dangers, 
or  solitude  when  you  were  by,  to  think  I  must  break 
my  heart  for  home  and  England  when  you  are  both  to 
me.  England  or  home  without  you  were  a  desert; 
with  you  the  desert  shall  be  my  England,  my  home  all 
my  days,  if  God  so  will  it. 

Myself:  Oh,  loved  woman,  my  brave,  sweet  Joan! 
And  the  laws — what  of  the  laws? 


322    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

She :     God  shall  be  our  law,  shall  give  us  some  sign. 

Myself:     Joan — come  to  me! 

She  (  faintly  )  :     No !     Ah,  no ! 

Myself :     Come ! 

She:     Very  well,  Martin. 

In  a  little  I  heard  her  light  step,  slow  and  something 
hesitant,  and  then  she  stood  before  me  in  her  loveli- 
ness, wrapped  about  in  my  travel-stained  boat-cloak; 
so  came  she  to  sink  beside  me  on  her  knees. 

"I  am  here,  Martin,"  said  she,  "since  I  am  yours 
and  because  I  know  my  will,  thine  also.  For  sure  am 
I  that  Adam  will  yet  come  and  with  him  cometh  law 
and  England  and  all  else;  shall  we  not  rest  then  for 
God's  sign,  be  it  soon  or  a  little  late,  and  I  honour 
thee  the  more  hereafter.  If  this  indeed  be  foolish 
scruple  to  your  mind,  dear  Martin,  I  am  here;  but  if 
for  this  you  shall  one  day  reverence  your  wife  the  more 
— ^beloved,  let  me  go!" 

"Indeed — indeed,  sign  or  no  sign,  thus  do  I  love 
thee!"  said  I,  and  loosed  her.  And  now,  as  she  rose 
from  my  reluctant  arms,  even  then,  soft  and  faint  with 
distance  but  plain  and  unmistakable  came  the  boom 
of  a  gun. 


CHAPTER  XXXV 

Of  the  Coming  of  Adam  and  Of  Oxjb  Geeat  Jot 

Therein 

The  moon  was  paling  to  daybreak  as,  having 
climbed  that  rocky  stair  I  have  mentioned,  we  came 
upon  the  cliff  and  stood,  hands  tight-clasped,  where 
we  might  behold  tlie  infinity  of  waters ;  and  after  some 
while,  looming  phantom-like  upon  the  dawn,  we  de- 
scried the  lofty  sails  of  a  great  ship  standing  in  towards 
the  land  and  growing  ever  more  distinct.  And  as  we 
watched,  and  never  a  word,  her  towering  canvas  flushed 
rosy  with  coming  day,  a  changing  colour  that  grew 
ever  brighter  until  it  glowed  all  glorious,  and  up  rose 
the  sun. 

Suddenly,  as  we  watched  the  proud  oncoming  of 
this  ship  of  glory,  my  lady  uttered  a  little,  soft  cry 
and  nestled  to  me. 

"The  sign,  Martin!"  cried  she,  "God  hath  sent  us 
the  sign,  beloved;  see  what  she  beareth  at  the  main!" 
And  there,  sure  enough,  stirring  languid  upon  the  gen- 
tle air  was  the  Cross  of  St.  George.  And  beholding 
this  thing  (that  was  no  more  than  shred  of  bunting) 
and  in  these  hostile  seas,  ship  and  sea  swam  upon  my 
vision,  and  bowing  my  head  lest  my  beloved  behold  this 
weakness,  felt  her  warm  lips  on  mine. 

"Dear  Martin,"  said  she,  "hide  not  your  tears  from 
me,  for  yonder  is  England,  a  noble  future — ^home,  at 
last." 

"Home?"  said  I.  "Aye,  home  and  peace  at  last  and, 
best  of  all — you!"     Thus  stood  we,  clean  forgetting 


324     Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

this  great  ship  in  each  other  until,  roused  by  the  thun- 
der of  another  gun,  we  started  and  turned  to  see  the 
ship  so  near  that  we  could  distinguish  the  glint  of  ar- 
mour on  her  decks  here  and  there,  and  presently  up  to 
us  rose  a  cheer  (though  faint)  and  we  saw  them  make 
a  waft  with  the  ensign,  so  that  it  seemed  they  had 
discovered  us  where  we  stood.  Hereupon,  seeing  the 
ship  already  going  about  to  fetch  into  the  harbour, 
we  descended  the  clifF  and,  reaching  the  sands  below, 
stood  there  until  the  vesel  hove  into  view  round  the 
headland  that  was  like  unto  a  lion's  head,  and,  furling 
upper  and  lower  courses,  let  go  her  anchor  and  brought 
up  in  fashion  very  seamanlike,  and  she  indeed  a  great 
and  noble  vessel  from  whose  lofty  decks  rose  lusty 
shouts  of  welcome,  drowned  all  at  once  in  the  silvery 
fanfare  of  trumpets  and  a  prodigious  rolling  of  drums. 
Presently,  to  this  merry  clamour,  a  boat  was  lowered 
and  pulled  towards  us,  and  surely  never  was  seen  a 
wilder,  more  ragged  company  than  this  that  manned 
her.  In  the  stem-sheets  sat  Adam,  one  hand  upon  the 
tiller,  the  other  slung  about  him  by  a  scarf,  his  har- 
ness rusty  and  dinted,  but  his  eyes  very  bright  be- 
neath the  pent  of  his  weather-beaten  hat.  Scarce  had 
the  boat  touched  shore  than  his  legs  (dight  in  pro- 
digiously long  Spanish  boots)  were  over  the  side  and 
he  came  wading  ashore,  first  of  any. 

"Praise  God!"  said  he,  halting  suddenly  to  flourish 
off  his  battered  hat  and  glance  from  one  to  other  of 
us  with  his  old,  whimsical  look.  "Praise  God  I  do 
see  again  two  souls,  the  most  wilful  and  unruly  in  all 
this  world,  yet  here  stand  ye  that  should  be  most  thor- 
oughly dead  (what  with  the  peril  consequent  upon 
wilfulness)  but  for  a  most  especial  Providence — there 
stand  ye  fuller  of  life  and  the  joy  o'  living  than  ever." 

"And  you,  Adam,"  reaching  her  hands  to  him  in 
welcome,  "you  that  must  march  'gainst  a  mighty  city 
with  men  so  few !     Death  surely  hath  been  very  nigh 


Of  the  Coming  of  Adam       325 

you  also,  yet  here  are  you  come  back  to  us  unscathed 
save  for  your  arm;  surely  God  hath  been  to  us  in- 
finitely kind  and  good!" 

"Amen !"  said  Adam  and  stooping,  raised  these  slen- 
der hands  to  his  lips.  "Howbeit,  my  Lady  Wilful- 
ness," quoth  he,  shaking  his  head,  "I  vow  you  ha' 
caused  me  more  carking  care  than  any  unhanged  pirate 
or  Spaniard  on  the  Main!  You  that  must  bide  here 
all  alone,  contemning  alike  my  prayers  and  commands, 
nor  suffering  any  to  stay  for  your  comfort  and  pro- 
tection and  all  for  sake  of  this  hare-brained,  most  ob- 
stinate comrade  o'  mine,  that  must  go  running  his  poor 
sconce  into  a  thousand  dangers  (which  was  bad)  and 
upsetting  all  my  schemes  and  calculations  (which  was 
worse,  mark  you !)  and  all  to  chase  a  will-o'-the-wisp,  a 

mare's-nest,  a — oh,  Lord  love  you,  Martin !"    And 

so  we  clasped  hands. 

In  a  little,  my  dear  lady  betwixt  us,  and  Adam  dis- 
coursing of  his  adventures  and  particularly  of  his 
men's  resolution,  endurance  and  discipline,  we  got  us 
aboard  the  Deliverance  which  the  men  were  already 
stripping  of  such  stores  as  remained,  filling  the  air 
with  cheery  shouts,  and  yo-ho-ing  as  they  hove  at  this 
or  hauled  at  that.  Climbing  to  the  quarter-deck  we 
came  at  last  to  the  great  cabin,  where  Adam  was 
pleased  to  commend  the  means  I  had  taken  to  our  de- 
fence, though  more  than  once  I  noticed  his  quick 
glance  flash  here  and  there  as  if  seeking  somewhat.  At 
last,  my  lady  having  left  us  awhile,  he  turns  his  sharp 
eyes  on  me: 

"Comrade,  how  goeth  vengeance  nowadays?"  he 
questioned.     "What  of  Sir  Richard,  your  enemy.'"' 

"Dead,  Adam!" 

"Aha!"  said  he,  pinching  his  chin  and  eyeing  me 
askance,  "was  it  steel  or  did  ye  shoot  him,  comrade  .f^" 

"God  forgive  you  for  saying  such  thing,  Adam!" 
quoth  I,  scowling  into  his  lean,  brown  face. 


326    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

"Aha,'*  said  he  again,  and  viewing  me  with  his  fur- 
tive leer.     "Do  ye  regret  his  murder  then,  Martin?" 

"Aye,  I  do  from  my  heart — now  and  always!" 

"Hum !"  said  he,  seating  himself  on  my  tumbled  bed 
and  glancing  whimsically  at  me,  "Martin,"  quoth  he, 
"friend — brother — you  that  talked  bloody  murder  and 
hell-fire  with  a  heart  inside  you  clean  and  gentle  as  a 
child's,  thou'rt  plaguey  fool  to  think  thy  friend  Adam 
be  such  fool  as  not  to  know  thee  better.  Hark'ee  now, 
here's  your  fashion;  If  you  found  the  enemy  you 
sought  so  long  and  him  in  a  Spanish  prison,  first  you 
cursed,  then  you  comforted,  then  eased  his  pains, 
watched  your  chance,  throttled  your  gaoler  and  away 
to  freedom,  bearing  your  enemy  along  wi'  you — ^is't 
not  something  the  way  of  it — come?'* 

"Truly,  Adam!"  said  I,  all  amazed,  "though  how 
you  chance  to  know  this " 

"Tush !"  said  he.  "  'Tis  writ  plain  all  over  thee, 
Martin,  and  yonder  cometh  our  lady,  as  peerless  a 
maid  as  ever  blessed  man's  sight — for  all  of  the  which 
I  do  love  thee,  Martin.  Come,  now,  I  will  take  ye 
aboard  the  prize  and  hey  for  England — this  night  we 
sail!"  So  we  joined  my  lady  and  coming  down  to  the 
boat  were  presently  rowed  to  the  Spanish  ship,  a  great 
vessel,  her  towering  stem  brave  with  gilding  and  her 
massy  timbers  enriched  by  all  manner  of  carved  work. 

"She  had  a  name  well-nigh  long  as  herself,  Martin," 
said  Adam,  "but  Godby  christened  her  The  Joyous 
Hope  instead,  which  shall  serve  well  enough."  So  we 
came  beneath  her  high,  curving  side,  where  leaned  fa- 
miliar figures — lean,  bronzed  fellows  who  welcomed  us 
with  cheer  that  waked  many  an  echo.  Upon  the  quar- 
ter-deck was  Penruddock  the  surgeon,  who  bustled  for- 
ward to  greet  us  himself  as  loquacious  as  ever  and 
very  loud  in  praise  of  the  cure  he  had  once  wrought  in 
me;  and  here,  too,  was  Godby,  to  make  a  leg  to  mjT 
lady  and  grasp  my  hand. 


Of  the  (doming  of  Adam       327 

"Why,  Mart'n — why,  pal,  here's  j'y,  scorch  me  wi' 
a  port-fire  else!"  quoth  he,  then,  hearing  a  hail  from 
the  beach,  rolled  away  to  look  to  his  many  duties. 

"She's  good  enough  vessel — to  look  at,  Martin," 
said  Adam,  bringing  us  into  the  panelled  splendour 
of  the  coach  or  roundhouse;  "aye,  she's  roomy  and 
handsome  enough  and  rich-laden,  though  something 
heavy  on  her  helm;  of  guns  fifty  and  nine  and  well- 
found  in  all  things  save  clothes,  hence  my  scurvy  rags ; 
but  we'll  better  'em  when  our  stores  come  aboard." 

And  now,  my  lady  being  retired,  he  showed  me  over 
this  great  galleon,  so  massy  built  for  all  her  gilding 
and  carved  finery,  and  so  stout-timbered  as  made  her 
well-nigh  shot-proof. 

"She's  a  notable  rich  prize,  Adam!"  said  I,  as  we 
came  above  deck  again,  where  the  crew  were  at  work 
getting  aboard  us  the  stores  from  the  Deliverance  un- 
der Godby's  watchful  eye. 

"Aye,  we  were  fortunate,  Martin,"  pausing  to  view 
this  busy  scene,  "and  all  with  scarce  a  blow  and  but 
five  men  lost,  and  they  mostly  by  sunstroke  or  snake- 
bite; we  could  ha'  taken  the  city  also  had  I  been  so 
minded." 

"  'Twas  marvellous  achievement  for  man  so  timid, 
Adam!"  quoth  I. 

"Nay,  comrade,  I  did  but  smite  the  enemy  unbe- 
known and  where  least  expected;  'twas  simple  enough. 
See  now,  Martin,"  said  he,  pinching  his  chin  and 
averting  his  head,  "I  am  very  fain  to  learn  more  of 
— to  hear  your  adventures — you  shall  tell  me  of — of 
'em  if  you  will,  but  later,  for  we  sail  on  the  flood  and 
I  have  much  to  do  in  consequence." 

So  I  presently  fell  to  pacing  the  broad  deck  alone, 
dreaming  on  the  future  and  in  my  heart  a  song  of 
gratitude  to  God.     Presently  to  me  comes  Godby: 

"Lord,  Mart'n!"  said  he,  hitching  fiercely  at  the 
broad  belt  of  his  galligaskins.     "Here's  been   doings 


328    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

o'  late,  pal,  doin's  as  outdoes  all  oi>her  doin's  o,s  ever 
was  done!  Talk  o'  glory?  Talk  o'  fame?  There's 
enough  on't  aboard  this  here  ship  t'  last  every  man  on 
us  all  his  days  and  longer.  And  what's  more  to  the 
p'int,  Mart'n,  there's  gold!  And  silver!  In  bars! 
Aye,  pal,  shoot  me  if  'tisn't  a-laying  in  the  hold  like 
so  much  ballast !  Cap'n  Adam  hath  give  his  share  to 
be  divided  atwixt  us,  which  is  noble  in  him  and  doeth 
us  a  power  o'  good!" 

"Why,  the  men  deserve  it;  'twas  a  desperate  busi- 
ness, Godby!" 

"A^^e,  pal,  good  lads  every  one,  though  we  had 
Cap'n  Adam  to  lead  'em.  'Twas  ever  *Come'  wi'  him! 
Ten  minutes  arter  our  first  salvo  the  fort  was  ours, 
their  guns  spiked,  an'  we  running  for  the  harbour.  Sir 
Adam  showing  the  way.  And,  Lord!  To  hear  the 
folk  in  the  tower,  you'd  ha'  thought  'twas  the  last 
trump — such  shrieks  and  howls,  Mart'n.  So,  hard  in 
Cap'n  Adam's  wake  we  scrambled  aboard  tliis  ship, 
she  laying  nighest  to  shore  and  well  under  the  guns  o' 
the  fort  as  we'd  just  spiked  so  mighty  careful,  d'ye 
see,  and  here  was  some  small  disputation  wi'  steel  and 
pistol,  and  her  people  was  very  presently  swimming  or 
rowing  for  it.  So  'twas  hoist  sail,  up  anchor  and 
away,  and  though  this  galleon  is  no  duck,  being  some- 
thing lubberly  on  a  wind,  she  should  bear  us  home  weD 
enough.  'Tis  long  since  I  last  clapped  eye  on  old 
England,  and  never  a  day  I  ha'n't  blessed  that  hour 
I  met  wi'  you  at  the  'Hop-pole,'  for  I'm  rich,  pal,  rich, 
though  I'd  give  a  lot  for  a  glimpse  o'  the  cliild  I  left 
a  babe  and  a  kiss  from  his  bonny  mother." 

Thus,  walking  the  broad  deck  of  this  stout  ship 
that  was  soon  to  bear  us  (and  myself  especially)  to 
England  and  a  new  life,  I  hearkened  to  God-be-here 
Jenkins,  who  talked,  his  eyes  now  cocked  aloft  at  spars 
or  rigging,  now  observing  the  serene  blue  distances, 
now  upon  the  boats  plying  busily  to  and  fro,  until  one 


Of  the  Coming  of  Adam       329 

of  the  men  came  to  say  the  last  of  our  stores  was 
aboard.  And  presently,  being  summoned,  Adam  ap- 
peared on  the  lofty  poop  in  all  the  bravery  of  flowing 
periwig   and   'broidered   coat. 

"Ha,  Mart'n,"  sighed  Godby,  hitching  at  his  belt 
as  we  went  to  meet  him,  "I  love  him  best  in  buff^  and 
steel,  though  he'll  ever  be  my  cap'n,  pal.  There  aren't 
what  you'd  call  a  lot  of  him,  neither,  but  what  there 
is  goeth  a  prodigious  long  way  in  steel  or  velvet.  Talk 
o'  glory!  Talk  o'  fame!  Pal,  glory's  a  goblin  and 
fame's  a  phantom  compared  wi'  Cap'n  Sir  Adam  Pen- 
feather,  and  you  can  keel  haul,  bum  and  hang  me 
else  !'* 

This  night  at  moonrise  we  warped  out  from  our 
anchorage  and  with  drums  beating  and  fifes  sounding 
merrily,  stood  out  into  the  great  deep  and  never  a  heart 
that  did  not  leap  at  thought  of  home  and  England. 
And  now  cometh  my  lady,  dressed  in  gown  I  thought 
marvellous  becoming,  and  herself  beautiful  beyond  all 
women,  as  I  told  her,  whereat  she  cast  down  her  eyes 
and  smoothed  her  dainty  silks  with  her  pretty  hands. 

"Fie,  Martin !"  said  she,  mighty  demure.  "Is  it  well 
to  be  so  extravagant  in  praise  of  your  own?"  Which 
last  words  put  me  to  such  ecstasy  that  I  fell  dumb 
forthwith;  noting  the  which,  she  came  a  little  nearer 
to  slip  her  cool  fingers  into  mine,  "Though,  indeed," 
quoth  she,  "I  am  glad  to  find  you  so  observant!  And 
my  hair?  Doth  it  please  you,  thus?"  And  now  I 
saw  her  silky  tresses  (and  for  all  their  mutilation) 
right  cunningly  ordered,  and  amid  their  beauty  that 
same  wooden  comb  I  had  made  for  her  on  the  island. 
"Well,  dear  sir?"  said  she,  leaning  nearer.  At  this, 
being  ever  a  man  scant  of  words  (and  the  deck  de- 
serted hereabouts)  I  kissed  her.  And  now,  hand  in 
hand,  we  stood  silent  awhile  to  watch  this  cruel  land 
of  Darien  fade  upon  our  sight.  At  last  she  turned 
and  I  also,  to  view  that  vast  horizon  that  lay  before  us. 


330    Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance 

"What  see  you,  yonder  in  the  distance,  dear  Mar- 
tin?" she  questioned. 

"Yourself !"  said  I.  "You  fill  my  world.  God  make 
me  worthy !  Aye,  in  the  future — ever  beside  me  hence- 
forth, I  do  see  you,  my  Damaris !" 

"Why,  to  be  sure,  loved  man!     But  what  more.?'* 

"I  want  for  no  more !" 

"Nay,  do  but  look!"  said  she,  soft  cheek  to  mine. 
*'There  I  do  see  happiness,  fortune,  honours — and — 

mayhap,  if  God  is  kind  to  us "     She  stopped,  with 

sound  like  a  little  sob. 

"What,  my  Joan?"  I  questioned,  fool-like. 

'^Greater  blessings- 


"But,"  said  I,  "what  should  be  greater- 


*Ah,  Martin — dear — cannot  you  guess?" 

"Why,  Joan — oh,  my  beloved!"  But  stepping  out 
of  my  hold,  she  fled  from  me.  "Nay,"  cried  I,  "do 
not  leave  me  so  soon." 

"I  must,  dear  Martin.  You — you  will  be  wanting 
to  speak  with  Adam " 

"Not  I— Lord,  no !" 

"Why,  then — you  shall !"  said  she  and  vanished  into 
the  roundhouse  forthwith,  leaving  me  wondering  like 
the  dull  fellow  I  was  until  (and  all  at  once)  I  under- 
stood and  my  wonder  changed  to  joy  so  great  I  might 
scarce  contain  myself;  wherefore,  beholding  Adam 
coming,  I  hasted  to  meet  him  and  had  clapped  him  in 
my  arms  or  ever  he  was  aware. 

"Marry  us,  Adam!"  said  I.     "Marry  us,  man!" 

"What,  ha'  ye  just  thought  on't  at  last,  Martin.?" 

"Aye,  I  have!'' 

"Tush !"  said  he.  "  'Twas  all  arranged  by  my  lady 
and  me  hours  agone.     Come  into  the  coach." 

And  thus,  upon  the  high  seas,  Adam  (being  both 
captain  and  magistrate)  married  us  forthwith,  and 
because  I  had  no  other,  I  wed  my  Damaris  with  my 
signet  ring  whereon  was  graven  the  motto  of  mj  house^ 


Of  the  Coming  of  Adam       331 

viz:  a  couchant  leopard  and  the  words,  "Rouse  me 
not."  And  who  so  sweet  and  grave  as  my  dear  lady 
as  she  made  the  responses  and  hearkened  to  Adam, 
and  he  mighty  impressive.  For  witnesses  we  had  Mas- 
ter Penruddock  the  surgeon  and  Godby,  and  now,  my 
lady  retiring,  we  must  crack  a  bottle,  all  four,  though 
I  know  not  what  we  drank. 

And  presently  Adam  drew  me  out  upon  the  quarter- 
deck, there  to  walk  with  me  a  while  under  a  great 
moon. 

"Martin,"  said  he  suddenly,  "you  have  come  by 
rough  seas  and  mighty  roundabout  course  to  your  hap- 
piness, but  there  be  some  do  never  make  this  blessed 
haven  all  their  days." 

"God  comfort  them,  poor  souls !"  quoth  I. 

"Amen!"  said  he;  and  then  in  changed  voice,  and 
his  keen  gaze  aloft  amid  the  swelling  sail,  "What  o' 
the  lady  Joanna,  shipmate?"  So  I  told  hira  all  the 
best  I  remembered  of  her  and  described  how  nobly  she 
had  died;  and  he  pacing  beside  me  said  never  a  word, 

"Martin,"  said  he,  when  I  had  made  an  end,  "I  am 
a  mighty  rich  man,  yet  for  all  this,  I  shall  be  something 
solitary,  I  guess." 

"Never  in  this  world,  Adam,  so  long  as  livet'h  my 
-dear  lady " 

"Your  wife,  comrade — 'tis  a  sweet  word!" 

"Aye — my  wife.  And  then,  am  I  not  your  sworn 
brother?  So  like  brothers  will  we  live  together  in 
England,  and  friends  always !"  And  hereupon  I 
clasped  an  arm  about  him. 

"This  is  well,  Martin,"  said  he,  gripping  my  hand. 
"Aye,  'tis  mighty  well,  for  nought  under  heaven  is 
there  to  compare  with  true  friendship,  except  it  be 
the  love  of  a  noble  woman.  So  now  go,  comrade,  go 
to  her  who  hath  believed  in  you  so  faithfully,  hath 
steadfastly  endured  so  much  for  you — get  you  to  your 
wife!" 


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Iron  Woman,  The.    Margaret  Deland. 
IshmaeL    (111.)     Mrs.  Southworth. 
Isle  of  Retribution.     Edison  Marshall. 
I've  Married  Marjorie.    Margaret  Widdemer, 
Ivory  Trail,  The.    Talbot  Mundy. 
Jacob's  Ladder.    E.  Phillips  Oppenheim. 
Jean  of  the  Lazy  A.    B.  M.  Bower. 
Jeanne  of  the  Marshes.    E.  Phillips  Oppenheim, 
Jeeves.    P.  G.  Wodehouse. 


'AT     A      POPU  L'A  R      PRICE 

Jimmie  Dale  and  the  Phantom  Clew.    Frank  L»  Packard. 

Johnny  Nelson.    Clarence  E.  Mulford. 

Joseph   Greer  and  His  Daughter.     Henry  Kitchell  Webster. 

Judith  of  the  Godless  Valley.  Honore  Willsie. 

Keeper  of  the  Door,  The.    Ethel  M.  Dell. 

Keith   of  the  Border.     Randall   Parrish. 

Kent  Knowles:  Quahaug.    Joseph  C.  Lincoln. 

tCilmeny  of  the  Orchard.     L.  M.  Montgomery. 

Kingdom  of  the  Blind,  The.     E.  Phillips  Oppenheim, 

King  of  Kearsarge.    Arthur  O.  Friel. 

King  of  the  Khyber  Rifles.     Talbot  Mundy. 

King  Spruce.     Holman  Day. 

Knave  of  Diamonds,  The.    Ethel  M.  DelL 

Land-Girl's  Love  Story,  A.    Berta  Ruck. 

Land  of  Strong  Men,  The.     A.  M.  Chisholm. 

Laramie  Holds  the  Range.    Frank  H.  Spearman. 

Last  Trail,  The.    Zane   Grey. 

Laughing  Bill  Hyde.     Rex  Beach. 

Laughing  Girl,  The.     Robert  W.  Chambers. 

Law  Breakers^  The.    Ridgwell  Cullum. 

Law  of  the  Gun,  The.    Ridgwell  Cullum. 

Leavenworth  Case,  The.    Anna  Katherine  Green.   (Photoplay 

Edition).  . 

Light  That  Failed,  The.     Rudyard  Kipling.  (Photoplay  Ed.). 
Lighted  Way,  The.    E.  Phillips  Oppenheim. 
Lin  McL^n.     Owen  Wister. 
Lister's  Great  Adventure.     Harold  Bindloss. 
Little   Moment  of    Happiness,    The.      Clarence     Budmgton 

Kelland. 
Little  Red  Foot,  The.    Robert  W.  Chambers. 
Little  Warrior,  The.    Pelham  (Renville  Wodehouse. 
Lonely  Warrior,  The.     Claude  C.  Washburn. 
Lonesome  Land.    B.  M.  Bower. 
Lone  Wolf,  The.     Louis  Joseph  Vance. 
L/Ong  Live   the   King.     Mary  Roberts  Rmehart   (Photopla^^ 

Edition). 
Lost  Ambassador.    E.  Phillips  Oppenheim. 
Lost  Discovery.  The.     Baillie  Reynolds. 
I<ost  Prince,  The.    Frances  Hodgson  Burnett. 
LDst  World,  The.     A.  Conan  Doyle. 
Luck  of  the  Kid,  The.    Ridgwell  Cullum. 
Lucretia  Lombard,  Kathleen  Norris. 
Luminous  Face,  The.    Carolyn  Wells. 
Lydiai  of  the  Pines.    Honore  Willsie. 


THE  BEST  OF   RECENT   FICTIOW 

hynch  Lawyers.    William  Patterson  White. 

McCarty  Incog.    Isaibel  Ostrander. 

Major,  The.     Ralph  Connor. 

Maker  of  History,  A.    E.  Phillips  Oppenheim. 

Malefactor,  The.     E.  Phillips  Oppenheim. 

Man  and  Maid.    Elinor  Glyn. 

Man  from  Bar  20,  The^    'Clarence  E.  Mulford. 

Man  from  the  Bitter  Roots,  The.    Caroline  Lockhart 

Man  in  the  Moonlight,  The.    Rupert  S.  Holland. 

Man  in  the  Twilight,  The.     Ridgwell   Cullum. 

Man  Killers,  The.     Dane  Coolidge. 

Man  Who  Couldn't  Sleep,  The.    Arthur  Stringer. 

Man's  Coxmtry.     Peter  Clark  Macfarlane. 

Marqueray's  Duel,     ^thony  Pryde. 

Martin  Conisby's  Vengeance.    Jeffery  Farnol. 

Mary-Gusta.    Joseph  C.  Lincoln. 

Mary  WoUaston.     Henry  Kitchell  Webster. 

Mason  of  Bar  X  Ranch.    H.  Bennett. 

Master  of  Man.    Hall  Caine. 

Master  Mummer,  The.    E.  Phillips  Oppenheim. 

Memoirs  of  Sherlock  Holmes.    A  Conan  Doyle. 

Men  Who  Wrought,  The.    Ridgwell  Cullum. 

Meredith  Mystery,  The.     Natalie  Sumner  Lincoln. 

Midnight  of  the  Ranges.     George  Gilbert. 

Mine  with  the  Iron  Door,  The.     Harold  Bell  Wright 

Mischief  Maker,  The.     E.  Phillips  Oppenheim. 

Missioner,  The.     E.  Phillips  Oppenheim. 

Miss  Million's  Maid.     Berta  Ruck. 

Money,  Love  and  Kate.    Eleanor  H.  Porter. 

Money  Master,  The.     Gilbert  Parker. 

Money  Moon,  The.     Jeffery  Farnol. 

Moonlit  Way,  The.     Robert  W.  Chambers. 

More  Limehouse  Nights.    Thomas  Burke. 

More  Tish.     Mary  Roberts  Rinehart. 

Moreton  Mystery,  The.     Elizabeth  Dejeans. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sen.     Louise  Jordan  Miln. 

Mr.  Ghrex  of  Monte  Carlo.    E.  Phillips  Oppenheim. 

Mr.  Pratt.    Joseph  C.  Lincoln. 

Mr.  Pratfs  Patients.    Joseph  C.  Lincoln. 

Mrs.  Red  Pepper.     Grace  S.  Richmond. 

Mr.  Wu.    Louise  Jordan  Miln. 

My  Lady  of  the  North.    Randall  Parrish. 

My  Lady  of  th«  South.    Randall  Parish. 

Mystery  GirL  The^    Carolyn  Wells, 


AT     A      POPULAR      PRICE 

Mystery  of  the  Hasty  Arrow,  The.     Anna  K.  Green. 

Mystery  of  the  Silver  Dagger,  The.    Randall  Parrish, 

Nameless  River.    Vingie  E,  Roe. 

Ne'er-Do-WeU,  The.    Rex  Beach.  (Photoplay  Ed.). 

Net,  The.     Rex  Beach. 

Never  Fail  Blake.    Arthur  Stringer, 

Next  Comer,  The.     Kate  Jordan. 

NightfalL     Anthony  Pryde. 

Night  Horseman,  The.     Max  Brand. 

Night  of  the  Wedding,  The.     C.  N.  and  A.  M.  Williamsoa 

Night  Operator,  The.    Frank  L.  Packard. 

Night  Riders,  The.    Ridg\vell  Cullum. 

Nine  Unknown,  The.     Talbot  Mundy. 

Nobody's  Man.    E.  Phillips  Oppenheim. 

No  Defence.     Gilbert  Parker. 

North.    James  B.  Hendryx. 

Obstacle  Race,  The.     Ethel  M.  J>tVL 

Odds.    Ethel  M.  Dell. 

Old  Misery.     Hugh  Pendexter, 

Omoo.     Herman   Melville. 

One  Thing  Is  Certain.     Sophie  Kerr. 

One-Way  Trail,  The.     Ridgwell  Cullum. 

Ordeal  of  Honor,  An.    Anthony  Pryde. 

Outlaw,  The.     Jackson  Gregory. 

Owner  of  the  Lazy  D.    William  Patterson  White. 

Panelled  Room,  The.     Rupert  Sargent  Holland. 

Paradise  Bend.    William  Patterson  White. 

Pardners.     Rex  Beach. 

Partners  of  the  Tide.    Joseph  C  Lincoln. 

Patricia  Brent,   Spinster.     Anonymous. 

Patrol  of  tiie  Sun  Dance  Trail,  The.    Ralph  Conner. 

Paul  Anthony,  Christian.    Hiram  W.  Hayes. 

Pawned,    Frank  L.  Packard. 

Pawns  Count,  The.     E.  Phillips  Oppenheim. 

Pay  GraveL     Hugh  Pendexter. 

Peacemakers,  The.     Hiram  W.  Hayes. 

Peregrine's  Progress.     Jeffery  Earn  oil. 

Peter  Ruff  and  the  Double  Four.    E.  Phillips  Oppenheim. 

Phantom  Wires.     Arthur  Stringer. 

Pointed  Tower,  The.    Vance  Thompson. 

PoUyanna;  **The  Glad  Book."    Eleanor  H.  Porter.  (Lim.  Ed), 

Trade  Mark— -Trade-Mark. 
Poor  Man's  Rock.     Bertrand  W.   Sinclair. 
^oor  Wise  Man,  A.    Mary  Robeits  Rinehart. 


THE  BEST  OF  RECENT   FICTION 

Poisoned  Paradise,  The.  Robert  W.  Service.  (Photoplay  Ed.). 

Portygec,    The.    Joseph  C  Lincoln. 

Possession.    Olive  Wadsley. 

Postmaster,  The.    Joseph  C.  Lincoln. 

Prairie  Child,  The.     Arthur  Stringer. 

Prairie  Flowers.    James  B.  Hendryx. 

Prairie  Mother,  The.    Arthur  Stringer. 

Prairie  Wife,  The.    Arthur  Stringer. 

Pretender,  The.    Robert  W.  Service. 

Prince  of  Sinners,  A.    E.  Phillips  Oppenheim. 

Prodigal  Daughters,  The.    Joseph  Hocking.  (Photoplay  Ed.). 

Prodigal  Son.     Hall  Caine.     (Photoplay  Ed.). 

Profiteers,  The.    E.  Phillips  Oppenheim. 

Promise,  The.    J.  B.  Hendryx. 

Public  Square,  The.    Will  Levin gton  Comfort. 

Purple  Mask,  The.     Louise  Jordan  Miln. 

Purple  Pearl,  The.    Anthony  Pryde. 

Quemado.    William  West  Winter. 

Quest  of  the  Sacred  Slipper,  The.    Sax  Rohmer. 

Quill's  Window.    George  Barr  McCutcheon. 

Kambow*8  End,  The.     Rex  Beach. 

Rainbow  Valley.     L.  M.  Montgomery. 

Ramshackle  House.     Hulbcrt  Footncr. 

Ranch  at  the  Wolverine,  The.    B.  M.  Bower, 

Ranching  for  Sylvia.     Harold  Bindloss. 

Rangy  Pete.  Guy  Morton. 

Raspberry  Jam.    Carolyn  Wells. 

Reclaimers^  The.     Margaret  Hill  McCarter. 

Re-Creation  of  Brian  Kent,  The.     Harold  Bell  Wright 

Red  and  Black.     Grace  S.  Richmond. 

Red  Pepper  Bums.    Grace  S.  Richmond. 

Red  Pepper's  Patients.    Grace  S.  Richmond. 

Red  Seal,  The.     Natalie  Sumner  Lincoln. 

Restless  Sex,  The.    Robert  W.  Chambers. 

Return  of  Dr.  Fu-Manchu,  The.    Sax  Rohmer. 

Return  of  Frank  Clamart,  The.    Henry  C.  Rowland. 

Rettxm  of  Tarzan  The.    Edgar  Rice  Burroughs. 

Riddle  of  the  Frozen  Flam©  The.    M.  E.  and  T.  W.  Hanshew. 

Riddle  of  the  Mysterious   Light  The.     M.   E.   and  T.    W, 

Hanshew. 
Riddle  of  the   Purple  Emperor  The^      M.   E.   and   T.   W. 

Hanshew. 
Riddle   of  the   Spinning   Wheel,  The.     M.    E.   and  T.   W, 

Hanshew. 


^r      'A      POPULAR      FRIV3 

Rider  of  the  Golden  Bar,  The.    William  Patterson  White 

Rider  of  the  King  Log,  The.    Holman  Bay, 

Rider  o'  the  Stars.    R.  J.  Horton. 

Riders  of  the  Silences.    John  Fredericlc 

RiUa  of  Ingleside.    L.  M.  Montgomery. 

Rimrock  TraiL    J.  Allan  Dunn.  ^ 

Rise  of  Roscoe  Paine,  The.    Joseph  C.  Lmcoln. , 

River  Trail,  The.    Laurie  Y.  Erskine. 

Robin.     Frances  Hodgson  Burnett 

Rocks  of  Valpre,  The.    Ethel  M.  DelL 

Rogues  of  the  North.    Albert  M.  Treynor. 

Romance  of  a  Million  Dollars,  The.    Elizabeth  Dejeans. 

Rosa  Mundi.    Ethel  M.  Dell. 

Rose  of  Santa  Fe,  The.    Edwin  L.  Sabiri.  . 

Round  the  Comer  in  Gay  Street.    Grace  S.  Richmond, 

Round-Up,  The.    Oscar  J.  Friend, 

Rung  Ho!    Talbot  Mundy. 

RusUer  of  Wind  River,  The.       G.  W.  Oadeii. 

St  Elmo.  (111.    Ed.)  Augusta  J.  Evans, 

Sand.    Olive  Wadsley. 

Scarlet  Iris,  The.    Vance  Thompson. 

Scattergood  Baines.     Clarence  Budingtori  Kelland. 

Second  Violin,  The.    Grace  S.  Richmond, 

Secret  Power,  The.    Marie  Corelli. 

Self-Raised.   (111).     Mrs.  SouthwortK. 

Settling  of  the  Sage.    Hal  G.  Evarts. 

Seven  Ages  of  Woman,  The.    Compton  Mackenzie. 

Seven  Darlings,  The.    Gouverneur  Morris. 

Seventh  Man,  The.    Max  Brand. 

Shadow  of  the  East,  The.    E.  M.  Hull.    (Photoplay  Ed.). 

Shadow  on  the  Glass,  The.    Charles  J.  Dutton. 

Shavings.    Joseph  C.  Lincoln. 

Sheik,  The.     E.  M.  Hull. 

Sheila  of  Big  Wreck  Cove.    James  H.  Cooper. 

Shepherd  of  the  Hills,  The.     Harold  Bell  Wright, 

Shepherds  of  the  Wild.     Edison  Marshall. 

Sheriff  of  Dyke  Hole,  The.    Ridgwell  Cullum. 

Sherry.    Georg-e  Barr  McCutcheon. 

Shoe-Bar  Stratton.    Joseph  B.  Ames.  _  -    ^    T>-«^t,e^ 

Sight  Unseen,  and  The  Confession.    Mary  Roberts  Rmehart, 

Silver  Horde,  The.    Rex  Beach. 

Silver  Poppy,  The.    Arthur  Stringer. 

Singing  Bone,  The.     R.  Austin  Freeman. 

isinging  Wcl^  Tha    Roland  Pertwe^ 


THE   BEST  OF  RECENT   FICTION' 

Sinister  Mark,  The.    Lee  Thayer. 

Sin  That  Was  His,  The.     Frank  L.  Packard. 

Sir  or  Madam.     Berta  Ruck. 

Sisters-in-Law.     Gertrude  Atherton. 

Sky  Line  of  Spruce.     Edison  Marshall. 

Slayer  of  Soiils,  The.    Robert  W.  Chambers. 

Smiles:  A  Rose  of  the  Cumberlanda.     Eliot  H.  Robinson. 

Snowdrift.    James  B.  Hendryx. 

Snowshoe  Trail,  The.     Edison  Marshall. 

Son  of  His  Father,  The.     Ridgwell  Culhim. 

Son  of  Tarran,  The.     Edgar  Rice  Burroughs. 

Souls  for  Sale.     Rupert  Hughes.     (Photoplay  Ed.). 

Speckled  Bird,  A.     Augusta  Evans  Wilson. 

Spirit  of  the  Border,  The.     Zane  Grey.     (New  Edition). 

Spirit-of-Iron.     Harwood  Steele. 

Spoilers,  The.     Rex  Beach.     (Photoplay  Ed.). 

Spoilers  of  the  Valley,  The.    Robert  Watson. 

Star  Dust.     Fannie  Hurst. 

Steele  of  the  Royal  Mounted.    James  Oliver  Curwood. 

Step  on  the  Stair,  The.     Anna  Katherine  Green. 

Still  Jim.     Honore  Willsie. 

Story  of  Foss  River  Ranch,  The.     Ridgwell   Cullum. 

Story  of  Marco,  The.     Eleanor  H.  Porter. 

Strange  Case  of  Cavendish,  The.    Randall  Parrish. 

Strawberry  Acres.     Grace  S.  Richmond, 

Strength  of  the  Pines,  The.     Edison  Marshall. 

Subconscious  Courtship.  The.     Berta  Ruck. 

Substitute  Millionaire,  The.     Hulbert  Footner. 

Sudden  Jim.     Clarence  B.  Kelland. 

Sweethearts  Unmet.     Berta  Ruck. 

Sweet  Stranger.     Berta  Ruck. 

Tales  of  Chinatown-     Sax  Rohmer. 

Tales  of  Secret  Kgypt.    Sax  Rohmer. 

Tales  of  Sherlock  Holmes.     A.  Conan  Doyle. 

Talkers,  The.     Robert  W.  Chambers. 

Talisman,  The.     Sir  Walter  Scott.  (Photoplay  Ed.).  Screened 

as  Richard  the  Lion  Hearted. 
Taming  of  Zenas  Henry,  The.     Sara  Ware  Basset. 
Tarzan  of  the  Apes.     Edgar  Rice  Burroughs. 
Tarzan  and  the  Jewels  of  Opar.     Edgar  Rice  Burroughs. 
Tattooed  Arm,  The.     Isabel  Ostrander. 
Tempting  of  Tavemake,  The.     E.  Phillips  Oppenheim. 
Tess  of  the  D^Urbervilles.    Thomas  Hardy.  (Photoplay  Ed.). 
Tex.     Clarence  E.  Mulford. 


yJT     A      POPULAR      PRICE 

Texan,  The.    James  B.  Hendryx. 

Thankful's  Inheritance.    Joseph  C.  Lincoln^ 

That  Affair  at  **The  Cedars.'*  Lee  Thayer. 

That  Printer  of  Udell's.    Harold  Bell  Wright. 

Their  Yesterdays.    Harold  Bell  Wright. 

Thief  of  Bagdad,  The.     Achmed  Abdullah.  (Photoplay  Ed.) 

Thieves'  Wit.     Hulberti  Footner. 

Thirteenth  Commandment,  The.     Rupert  Hughes, 

This  Side  of  Paradise.    F.  Scott  Fitzgerald, 

Thoroughbred,  The.    Henry  Kitchell  Webster, 

Thread  of  Flame,  The.     Basil  King. 

Three  Black  Bags.     Marion  Polk  AngellotL 

Three  Men  and  a  Maid.    P.  G.  Wodehouse. 

Three  Musketeers,  The.     Alexander  Dumas. 

Three  of  Hearts,  The.    Berta  Ruck. 

Through  the  Shadows  with  O.  Henry.     Al.  Jennings. 

Thunderbolt,  The.    Clyde  Perrin. 

Timber.     Harold  Titus. 

Timber  Pirate.     Charles  Christopher  Jenkins. 

Tish.    Mary  Roberts  Rinehart. 

To  Him  That  Hath.     Ralph  Connor. 

Toilers  of  the  Sea,  The.    Victor  Hugo.  (Photoplay  Ed.). 

Toll  of  the  Sands.    Paul  Belaney. 

Trail  of  the  Axe,  The.    Ridgwell  Cullum. 

Trailin*.     Max  Brand. 

Trail  to  Yesterday,  The.     Chas.  A.  Seltzer. 

Treasure  of  Heaven,  The.    Marie  Corelli. 

Trigger  of  Conscience,  The.    Robert  Orr  Chipperfield. 

Triumph  of  John  Kars,  The.    Ridgwell  Cullum. 

Triumph  of  the  Scarlet  Pimpernel,  The.    Baroness  Orczy^ 

Trodden  Gold.     Howard  Vincent  O'Brien. 

Trooper  O'NeilL     George  Goodchild. 

Trouble  at  the  Pinelands,  The.     Ernest  M.  Porter^ 

T.  Tembarom.     Frances  Hodgson  Burnett. 

Tumbleweeds.    Hal  G.  Evarts. 

Turn  of  the  Tide.    Eleanor  H.  Porter. 

Twenty-fourth  of  June.    Grace  S.  Richmond. 

Twins  of  Suffering  Creek,  The.    Ridgwell  Culhmu 

Two-Gkm  Man,  The.     Chas.  A.  Seltzer. 

Two-Gun  Man,  The.     Robert  Ames  Bennet. 

Two-Gun  Sue.    ©ouglas  Grant. 

Typee.     Herman   Melville. 

Tyrfel  of  the  Cow  Country.    Robert  Ames  Benaetg 

iVader  Handicap.    Jackson  Gregory. 


THE  BEST  OF  RECENT  FICTION 

Under  the  Country  Sky.    Grace  S.  Richmond. 

Uneasy  Street.     Arthur  Somers  Roche. 

Unlatched  Door,  The.     Lee  Thayer. 

UnpardojBiable  Sin,  The.     Major  Rupert  Hughci, 

Unseen  Ear,  The.    Natalie  Sumner  Lincoln. 

Untamed,  The.    Max  Brand. 

Up  and  Coming.     Nalbro   Bartley. 

Up  From  Slavery.     Booker  T.  Washington. 

Ursula  Trent.    W.  L.  George. 

Valiants  of  Virginia,  The.    HalUe  Erminie  Rives. 

Valley  of  Content,  The.     Blanche  Upright. 

VaUey  of  Fear,  The.    Sir  A.  Conan  Doyle. 

Valley  of  Gold,  The.    David  Howarth.  * 

Valley  of  the  Sun,  The.    William  M.  MrCoy. 

Vandemark's  Folly.    Herbert  Quick. 

Vanguards  of  the  Plaina     Margaret  Hill  McCarter. 

Vanished  Messenger,  The.    E.  Phillips  Oppenheim. 

Vanishing  of  Betty  Varian,  The.    Carolyn  Wells. 

Vanity  Fair.     Wm.  M.  Thackeray.   (Photoplay  Ed.). 

VashtL    Augusta  Evans  Wilson. 

Viola  Gwyn.     George  Barr  MdCutcheon. 

Virginia  of  Elk  Creek  Valley.    Mary  lEllen  Chase. 

Virtuous  Wives.     Owen  Johnson. 

Voice  of  the  Pack,  The.    Edison  Marshall. 

Wagon  Wheel,  The.    William  Patterson  White. 

Wall  Between,  The.     Sar^  Ware  Bassett. 

Wall  of  Men,  A.    Margaret  Hill  McCarter. 

Wasted  Generation,  The.    Owen  Johnson. 

Watchers  of  the  Plains,  The.    Ridgwell  Cullum. 

Way  of  an  Eagle,  The.    Ethel  M.  Dell. 

Way  of  the  Strong,  The.     Ridgwell  Cullum. 

Way  of  These  Women,  The.     E.  Phillips  Oppenheim. 

We  Can't  Have  Everything.    Major  Rupert  Hughes. 

Weavers,  The.    Gilbert  Parker. 

West  Broadway.     Nina  Wilcox  Putnam. 

West  Wind  Drift     George  Barr  McCutcheon. 

What's  the  World  Coming  To?,    Rupert  Hughes. 

What  Win  People  Say?  Rupert  Hughes. 

Wheels  Within  Wheels.     Carolyn  Wells. 

Whelps  6f  the  Wolf,  Tlie.     George  Marsh. 

When  a  Man's  a  Man.    Harold  Bell  Wright.  (Photoplay  E4>c 

When  Egypt  Went  Broke,    Holman  ®ay. 

Where  the  Sun  Swings  North.     Bamett  Willoughby. 

Wh«rp  Tliere's  a  WilL    Mary  Roberts  RineharL 


14  DAY  USE 

RETURN  TO  DESK  FROM  WHICH  BORROWED 

LOAN  DEPT. 

RENEWALS  ONLY — TEL.  NO.  642-3405 

This  book  is  due  on  the  last  date  stamped  below,  or 

on  the  date  to  which  renewed. 

Renewed  books  are  subject  to  immediate  recall. 


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subject  to  recall   a. 


.aiR  2  972     6  0 


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U  '8  PM  :>  5 


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'^'D  CIRC  D 


^fJ"     MAR  1  974 


-BfC  13  1974  6 


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IPCBaRc 


■55! — ■miM'94 


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LD  21A-40m-2,'69 
(J60578l0)476 — A-32 


!^Bi    " 


General  Library 

University  of  California 

Berkeley 


LD  21-100m-6,'56 
(B9311sl0)476 


General  Library 

University  of  California 

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